Pavlenka: "We'll need to go to our limit"

Jiri, you've now lost only one of your last seven competitive games. How do you assess your current form?

"We're playing well at the moment; we've found a certain stability that we unfortunately didn't have last season. But we need to make sure we put in the performances week-in, week-out. Even though it might sound a little bit cliché, we'll do well to focus entirely and exclusively on our next match."

You've conceded the fewest goals of any Bundesliga club in 2021. How do you explain this solidity?

"We have significantly fewer injury absentees in comparison with last season, which means that we can often go into games with the same squad. That has allowed us as a team to become more settled and more of a defensive unit – from the strikers all the way back to myself as the goalkeeper. Everyone knows what role they have to fulfil. We've been doing that very well so far. That also applies to the players who have come off the bench. They're immediately there when they're called upon."

You're currently six points clear of 16th place. How confident are you of keeping your place in the division?

"But it is 'only' six points. That can change so quickly and I know that we still have a long way to go. We need to go to our limit in every game; we cannot drop off, otherwise we won't pick up the points. We simply need to remain alert and want to try to stop ourselves from being sucked into the relegation battle."

You're up against Hoffenheim, your direct rivals in the table, on Sunday. What kind of game are you expecting? Where do you see TSG's strengths?

"It'll be a very difficult match. Hoffenheim are a strong footballing side and are one of the best attacking teams in the league. We can't allow them to settle into the game and we'll need to find the spaces and gaps in their defence. We'll go into the match well-prepared."

You'll be up against your international team-mate Pavel Kadeřábek. Do you get in touch before games like this?

"Unfortunately, we haven't seen or spoken to each other for a long time. Corona has not allowed for it, because we haven't even seen each other for international duty either. Then Pavel sustained an injury and didn't have an easy time of it. But I've very much looking forward to seeing him. We'll definitely find a little bit of time after the game to exchange a word or two."

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