Kramarić: "The best thing that's ever happened to me"

The Rhine-Neckar region has become like home to Andrej Kramarić over the last few years - not only in a sporting sense, but from a personal perspective too. The words home and family are hugely important in the striker's life, which makes it all the more remarkable that the Kraichgau has become the 29-year-old's second home: "The region, the club, the town, the atmosphere – I like it all here a lot. (…) I enjoy every moment here."

In an interview with SPIELFELD, the Croat also spoke for the first time in detail about his childhood, the role his father has played in his career and how it felt to make his professional debut for hometown club Dinamo Zagreb alongside Robert Kovac and Mario Mandzukic. "It really was a very special moment (…) with all those great guys."

But his sporting present lies with TSG Hoffenheim – something the Croat, who has a contract that runs until 2022, appreciates very much. "I hold talks very often with Alex (editor's note: Alexander Rosen, director of football) and the coaching staff. But my contract still has more than one year to go. There's no need for us to stress. Of course, I often think about it, but for now my focus is on the remainder of the season. Afterwards, we will hold further talks and see what happens. I can only emphasise once more how comfortable I feel here. The transfer to TSG was the best thing that's ever happened to me," said Kramarić, adding: "I can feel at home here and talk about anything. And then of course there's the sporting success. We've had a wonderful time together over the course of the past few years. It makes me incredibly proud that I now hold so many records here."

Not everything has gone according to plan for the 52-time international this season, however. "My start to the season was like a dream and I was very satisfied with the statistics I recorded. But my corona infection stopped my good form in its tracks and disrupted my rhythm. (…) As a team, we're obviously disappointed with the way that the season has panned out, but we still have three matches remaining and I could still break my personal goal record. I'm happy with my haul, but I'm not completely satisfied all in all, because we can all play better. (…) It goes without saying that such things can happen in football and that a team can go through a bad phase from time to time. (…) We have to accept it and up our quality on the pitch again in the future."