Andrej Kramarić: "A little less conversation, a little more action"

Andrej, you scored your first ever Bundesliga hat-trick against Hannover. How many have you had in your career?

Andrej Kramarić: “As a professional, I think that was the sixth. I got my first relatively early in my career at Dinamo Zagreb and I got three for HNK Rijeka – one in the league against NK Istra 1961, one in the Europa League against Feyenoord Rotterdam and even five goals in one match in the Croatian League against one of my former clubs NK Lokomotiva. And I’d already scored one for Hoffenheim two years ago in the first round of the DFB-Pokal against 1. FC Germania Egestorf/Langreder.”

Which goal was classier – the second or the third?

Kramarić: “Both were nice goals and I’m really pleased with both of them. I think the second goal got the fans talking more because it was a volley, but I personally thought the third goal was nicer and classier. A lot of things have to go right to be able time the chip over the goalkeeper from that distance.”

With 12 goals and seven assists, you’re close to reaching the 20 scorer points mark for the second time in a row. Robert Lewandowski has already done it and Timo Werner also could do it, but no other players have. What would it mean to you?

Kramarić: “I had no idea, but that’s fantastic of course. It’s definitely a very small group of players, but I haven’t reached 20 yet this season. There are still two games to go so I still have time and I’d absolutely love to help the team out with more goals and assists.”

The derby against Stuttgart is on Saturday. They’ve only lost one of their last twelve games. A tough challenge is coming up.

Kramarić: “They’ll certainly be a tough nut to crack. Stuttgart have been very strong in the second half of the season and it’s not pleasant thinking back to our last game there, which we lost 5-1 at the end of the 2015-16 season. We aware of just how dangerous they can be and we know what we’re coming up against. Stuttgart also have a chance to reach Europe after their impressive results recently. However, that could help us. I think they’ll play attacking and aggressive football at home, which could mean that we have a bit more room to play with than what we’re used to.”

As a team, you’ve fought your way up to fourth in the table. You know what this place qualifies you for next season...

Kramarić: “Of course – everyone knows that, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to talk about the Champions League. It distracts you and I’m not really one for using big words. However, we can’t beat around the bush – reaching the Champions League would be incredible for all of us at TSG. We’re taking each game as it comes and we’re not thinking too much about it. The focus is solely on preparing ourselves for Stuttgart. We’re still giving it our all. My motto is: “A little less conversation, a little more action.”

Serge Gnabry and also Kerem Demirbay will miss the match in Stuttgart. Can the team cope with these players missing?

Kramarić: “Serge and Kerem are great players and they’re very important for us as a team. Serge has been unbelievably good in the second half of the season. It would certainly be great if they could help us in the game, but they can’t and we have to accept that. At the same time, we’ve also shown over the season that we have players who can step into their roles and that we can perform well and get results even without these two. Whoever plays, we want to win on Saturday and then ideally pick up another three points on the final matchday of the season against Dortmund.”

A point would be enough to secure at least sixth place. But that’s not your goal on Saturday, is it?

Kramarić: “We want the three points. It’s really important to maintain the intensity and our focus. If we don’t play at the same level we have for the past few weeks, we won’t get any points in Stuttgart and then all the calculations are for nothing. Therefore I know that we have to give 100% to be successful. That’s the focus, not the table or how the combinations of various external factors could affect us.”

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