Amine Harit: You can only do your best if people believe in you

“The result is great and the win is very important for the team. To score five goals is very good for our self-confidence,” said the midfielder, who mainly played on the left against Paderborn, but also rotated around the forward positions with his teammates. “It doesn’t matter to me which position I play in, it’s just important that I play,” emphasised Harit, who paid special praise to Mark Uth, with whom he linked up well. “Mark is a class player, who played very well after being sidelined for five months due to an injury.”

Harit with best challenge success rate on Matchday 4

In addition to scoring his brace, the first of his career, Harit was also involved in two more goals. Harit had three shots at the Paderborn goal and also won 22 of his challenges, a feat that no other player in the league was able to better on Matchday 4.

“The strikers are the first line of defence,” said Harit, who also offers a lot defensively, tracking back and winning tackles. “Attackers doing a lot of defensive work is important for the team.” David Wagner demands this kind of commitment from his players, as Harit reveals. “If the coach tells you to run, you run. If you don’t then you end up on the bench, and I want to play,” Harit says with a big grin on his face, adding, “If everyone does what the coach says, then we win our games. Because that way we are a great team with lots of quality”.

Harit himself has been able to regain a lot of self-confidence through the new coaching team. “I am very happy. Only if people believe in you and you feel comfortable at the club, can you perform to the best of your ability. We are ready for the coming games,” says Harit.