Baumann: "The reward for the last years"

Oli, what is your first impression of FC Porto?

"When you arrive at the stadium, you see how big this club is. When the bus pulled in, we immediately saw the major successes on the wall. Porto have made an impression not only at national level but at international level too. That's why we're delighted to be able to test ourselves against such a big club."

How do you assess the opponent?

"It may be that they are our toughest opponent of this season to date. The team have very high quality in technical terms but also make an impact on an emotional level. We're looking forward to the atmosphere, that will be something special. We worked hard last season for this."

Which players will you pay special attention to?

"Samu is a very powerful striker with great quality who has been in good form in the last weeks. He will be a big challenge for us. One of their best-known players is goalkeeper Diogo Costa. At the EURO at the latest, he proved he is a very good keeper. He was very self-confident, not only in penalty shootouts."

International debut, penalty save – are you currently in the best form of your career?

"As a goalkeeper, experience helps you greatly. Now is perhaps the best spell of my career. The age of a keeper is simply a number. You need to be fit, but experience is very important as a goalkeeper. It takes a great deal of training, also strength training, in order to stay fast. Now I am benefiting from what I've built up over many years. This is the reward. I'm very happy that I am able to experience this phase."

You have recently shown your improving form as a team. Can you build on that in Porto?

"We are developing, we are on a good path. In our last matches, we have created very many goalscoring opportunities and simultaneously defended better. The team spirit is also getting better and better. We must stay on this path. You always have to judge a game individually. Just because we're developing well, that does not mean we'll win in Porto. But we have the self-confidence to get something in Porto."

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