Langkamp: “TSG have the qualities of a top team”

Sebastian, you were told at Bayern: “You’ll never play professionally.” Have you spoken to your youth coach Hermann Gerland since you defied him and made the leap to becoming a professional?

Sebastian Langkamp: Actually, we’ve never spoken about it. Of course we bump into each other now and then, be it in Munich or here in Berlin, and we speak with one another. But still, it’s true that we don’t exactly have a huge amount in common with each other. Sandro Wagner knows very well what Hermann Gerland is like, so perhaps he has a bit more to say on the topic (laughs). 

Hertha assistant coach Rainer Widmeyer seems to think that you’ve become more courageous and confident out on the pitch. Why is that so? 

Langkamp: It starts with being comfortable with the team. As a defender you simply have more options when everyone is moving well, and everything to do with the team becomes automatic. Perhaps we’ve been guilty of not playing as a team as much as we should have been in years past. But it’s different now. We’re trying to play better football, and although it doesn’t always work out, we’re trying our best (grins). 

You’ve been the best team at home in the Bundesliga so far – what makes you so strong at home? 

Langkamp: We’re simply very comfortable in Berlin (laughs). No, fun aside: I can’t pinpoint exactly why. Of course, everyone always approaches home games a bit differently. I think that we’re not so committed to playing our way of football, which is successful at the Olympiastadion, against good teams when we’re away from home. We’re working on it though, so we can achieve similar results both home and away. 

The reverse fixture was won by TSG 1-0, thanks to a headed goal from Niklas Süle. You weren’t on the pitch then, so what memories do you have of the match? 

Langkamp: I watched the game. Hoffenheim deserved to win, had the better chances, and were the better team throughout the game. But we’re looking to turn that around in the next game. 

TSG are one spot above you in the table. What do you make of them so far this season? 

Langkamp: They deserve to be there. Hoffenheim have had hardly any fluctuations in terms of their performance, neither technically nor football-wise. They’ve willed their way to victory in tight games. Those are the qualities of a top team, and they reflect that on the pitch.

The reverse fixture. Floodlights. Fifth versus fourth. How are you measuring up the game?

Langkamp: We undoubtedly want to prove how strong we are at home. It’s not all coming together away from home quite yet, so that means we have to be sure to claim our points at the Olympiastadion. That’s the plan against Hoffenheim too. TSG are definitely in the more advantageous position, and so they don’t necessarily have to come out with attacking intent in the game, unlike how they have previously. They have a few quick players who can pose a threat on the counter. It’ll be an open game, and we have to see to it that we use our chances efficiently. If we do that, it’s likely that we’ll keep all three points in Berlin.

 

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