FC St. Pauli

...the injury situation: "Karol Mets has a patellar tendon issue. We'll have to see how quickly we can sort it, though we do have David Nemeth and Adam Dźwigała in the background, so we'll just to wait until after tomorrow to see if we can sort it. Everyone else is fit and well. Andreas Albers had a few problems at the start of the week but is back now. Eric Smith and Philipp Treu are also available. Robert Wagner needs a bit longer after his injury in the friendly."

...the opposition: "We have to deal with their attack. Hack is really good again after his injury, as is Plea in the floating position behind Kleindienst. They look very stable at the moment, but we aim to be tenacious and awkward. We need the same intensity and clarity in our defensive unit to maybe create a couple of better moments with the ball."

...Gladbach striker Tim Kleindienst: "He's a late bloomer who I experienced myself in Gent when things didn't go so well. He scored goals at Heidenheim in the second division and tried his luck abroad. It didn't work out, so he went back and found his old form again in familiar surroundings and has repeated that at his new club in Mönchengladbach. He's their poster boy at the moment, though you have to say quite clearly that it's not just one person, they have an incredible amount of quality as a team."

...the target until the winter break: "We've had some good moments on the ball and excellent moments off it. We're still looking to find the right balance and go to the limit again. Defend together, actively attack together. The way we've been playing in the last few games is going in the right direction, and we simply want to preserve that."

…Erik Ahlstrand: "He's developed well, accepted the situation and has always been very inquisitive and clear-headed. Match practice is the most important thing for him. He's brought the impetus from the Under-23s with him and is showing that in training. He's never let his head drop. Erik has absolute quality and speed. Now is perhaps the right time to throw him in occasionally. I'm glad he never gave up.“

…his favourite Bundesliga kick-off time: "It's a nice feeling when you win the Friday evening game, especially at home with our fans and the atmosphere. My preference is to win the Friday evening game and then watch the rest of the games in comfort."

…the interplay and the chance conversion rate of the strikers: "Our patterns can still get better. Our play off the ball is very energy-intensive, but then we can't afford to drop off at the back. We want to be active on and off the ball. Against Hoffenheim that was very good. Taking the lead obviously did us good. In the video sessions we showed the lads some finishing situations and runs. We're trying to bring in routines to give them a good feeling."

Photos: FC St. Pauli/Witters