FC St. Pauli

Fabian Hürzeler on…

...the injury situation: "Scott Banks, Simon Zoller and Carlo Boukhalfa resumed training yesterday but aren't options for the squad yet as they've been out too long. As for Eric Smith and Lars Ritzka, we're taking things day by day and we'll see how they slot in today. Jackson Irvine sat yesterday out but I'm assuming he'll be back today."

...the mood after the vital win at Hannover: "It's obviously positive after a win. Achieving a balance between euphoria and focus on the next game is important and I get the sense that the focus turned to the next game very quickly. The players know all too well that the win at Hannover is only worth something if we beat Rostock, and that's the objective."

...opponents Hansa Rostock: "In Rostock we know we're up against a team in the middle of a relegation battle and fighting for survival. They can be very awkward opponents. We have to prepare very meticulously because we have to neutralise their weapons, another challenge we have to come through. It'll be important for us to build on the uptake in form we showed in the second half at Hannover."

...the explosive nature of the game: "We're playing at home in front of our own fans on Friday evening and we know how important the game is. We could take a big step in the table and these are precisely the moments when you have to stick to what you've done well and what every individual player is capable of. It's not about performing miracles because it's a special game. In football it's the simple things that are usually effective. The link-up play is good when you keep it simple. I'm not expecting miracles, I simply want us to do the basics well and bring our qualities and identity to the pitch. We shouldn't concern ourselves with everything that's being said about the game but everyone needs to know what to expect. There may be interruptions in the play and we have to be prepared for that."

...the success from set pieces: "Peter Németh is responsible for the attacking set pieces, Marco Knoop for the defensive ones. Normally, you can only shine from attacking set pieces, but the defensive ones are just as important. They both work very meticulously. You can only be successful as a team and in a team you need experts in certain areas. That's Peter and Marco and I have every confidence in them. They develop everything with the players in several meetings. We get the players on board and listen to their opinions and what they have to say on the various options. They're given responsibility on the pitch even though certain things are discussed ahead of the game. We want decision-makers and encourage them and it's up to the lads to put that into practice on the pitch."

...the run-in: "It's crunch time now, we can't deny that. You sense something's at stake. We aren't going to deviate from our path and will keep going over our performances, addressing mistakes and developing potential meticulously. There are four games left to go and you can improve as a player and as a team in those four matches. We'll come under pressure and that's when the task is to perform the way we've been performing all season. That's the next challenge and we'll tackle it together. We want to emerge as winners from this round of matches. That's the objective and we have to do our job on Friday evening."

Photos: Witters