Bittencourt: "We know where our strengths lie"

Leo, you started off with a win at Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday. How important was that triumph after a difficult first half-season?

"It was an important triumph, of course. We really wanted to start the second half of the season positively, gave it everything and got our reward. We also got our first clean sheet, which is hugely important for our self-belief."

How would you summarise the problems in the first half of the season?

"On the one hand, we had incredibly bad luck with injuries and had to line up with a different team almost every week. But on the other hand, we did have one or two games where we were really good but ultimately cost ourselves victory by giving away goals too easily. And when you don't have any success, then over time you obviously start to lose some of your self-belief and to deviate from your footballing principles. But we analysed that over the winter break and worked on our automatic procedures during the off-season. The win in Düsseldorf was a good start and we want to build on that in the coming months."

You're up against Hoffenheim on Saturday. What kind of match are you expecting?

"It'll certainly be a difficult match. Hoffenheim have a good team – individually good and technically strong. But we also know where our strengths lie and we're at home. We want to win this game."

You're currently on loan at SV Werder from TSG. Do you sometimes still follow Hoffenheim's games?

"Of course, when it doesn't clash and I'm not playing at the same time, I'll watch. I still have good contact to Hoffenheim and I had a great time there. I'll be crossing for fingers for them this season – just not on Sunday."

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