Sebastian Rudy: We need to be clever at the back and take our chances

Sebastian, you played for Hoffenheim for seven years. What memories stick in your mind from your time there?
I only have good memories from my time in Hoffenheim. I started my professional career there and learnt a lot along the way. There are a lot of good people at the club and I’m looking forward to seeing them again.

Who are you still in contact with?
I’m still friends with a number of players and it’s nice to stay in touch, even though I’ve been away for almost two years now. Occasionally I speak to the coaching team and I get on very well with the manager, Alexander Rosen.

Let’s talk about Saturday. How strong are they?
Hoffenheim have a fantastic team. We have to be careful at the back, because TSG are known for creating a lot of chances and scoring plenty of goals.

How do you plan on stopping their attack?
We need to try and stop their attacks as quickly as possible, but we know that won’t be easy. The most important thing is that we are clever at the back. It’s not a 100 meter sprint – ten players should run ten meters instead.

And what about our own attack?
We have to take our own chances that we make – perhaps from set-pieces too. We are difficult to beat if we play the way we can.

There are five games left and Schalke currently sit six points above the relegation play-off place. How is the team dealing with the pressure at the moment?
We have five decisive games still to play. We have to put everything into these games, so that we don’t slip any further down the table. Every point counts and the team knows that. I think the whole squad can deal with the situation and the pressure on us.