Some of our boys training today…
I really can’t think of an intro…you know what this is about, anyway.
The city of Hamburg hasn’t been dominated by a Frenchman like that since Napoleon took over about 200 years ago.
Thanks for ruining the “Oh Fourtuna” pun, Rafinha. Really well done.
1. Which CB to remove when Alaba returns? - ¿Que central debe ir a la banca al volver Alaba? (Question-Pregunta via @redrobbery)
2. Who thinks Kroos must play instead of Özil in the national team? - ¿Quién cree que Kroos debería jugar por Özil en la selección nacional? (Question-Pregunta via @ReneJRS)
3. Would you give Mario Gomez his starting spot back over Mario Mandžukić or would you keep Mandžukić as the starter until Gomez wins his place on the starting XI back? - Le daría usted el puesto de titular a Mario Gomez sobre Mario Mandžukić de una vez o dejaría a Mandžukić de titular hasta que Gomez se gane de nuevo su puesto en la titular?
fcbayern.de: Toni, we can see Arjen Robben and Mario Gomez from here, working towards comebacks. But the squad is well stocked at the moment, and you seem to be covering superbly for these two world-class players.
Toni Kroos: Yes, we’re coping well. But I’m looking forward to having both of them back. It’ll give us even more quality and even more options. One thing’s for certain: we definitely won’t be worse off (laughs).
Apart from the depth in the squad, what are the hallmarks of the current team?
Obviously, each one of us is even hungrier after two seasons without silverware. Just look at our performances in the league, where we’ve hardly ever eased off up to now.
On Saturday evening, Jupp Heynckes praised what he considered the best performance of the season so far.
We’ve turned in a number of good displays in recent weeks. But even in those matches, there were always periods where we weren’t quite as dominant. In Düsseldorf, we were wide awake for the full 90 minutes, so all in all, it was our best game so far.
You’ve set a new Bundesliga record with eight wins from eight games. What does that mean to you?
It really is just a sideshow, but we’re obviously delighted with the 24 points. Our target was to stride clear at the top and not have to play catch up. It’s gone very well so far and it’s a perfect start.Are you often talking among themselves about maintaining focus and concentration?
No, not much has to be said, because everyone, and I mean everyone, already knows this. Just look at our matches, where every player has been up for it and motivated. Last season is enough of a warning. We also started well last season, but then we started dropping points due to carelessness. That can’t be happening again.
You have three goals in eight Bundesliga matches, compared to four in the whole of last season. Do you think you’re making progress?
Obviously, you still have room to improve at the age of 22. I’ve learned the right lessons from last season and I’m trying to optimise a few things this term. It’s gone well so far, but I have to stay consistent.
You have real skill when it comes to shooting. Do you still work on that in every training session?
I really worked hard on shooting in the past, and I still do today. But the decisive factor is actually getting into a position to shoot in a match. Only then can I use my technique. I’ve been working hard on that in recent weeks.
There’s no time to relax, as you travel to Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday. Are you optimistic?
We’re confident, and the momentum is with us as we go to Lille. We’re favourites in the group and want to live up to that. However, we’re naturally under a little pressure after losing to Borisov, there’s no question about it.
What has to improve compared to the Borisov match?
We have to cut out the stupid errors and make more of our superiority. But to be honest with you, I don’t want to talk about this match any more, as we’ve put it behind us. We’re in great shape at the moment, and that’s the only thing that counts.
I expected a bigger workload against Markus Babbel. That being said, what mattered was getting three points. The performance wasn’t breathtaking so the break comes just in time.
