Hartel: "We won't change the way we play"
Thursday, 14. July 2022, 11:00 Uhr
Marcel Hartel, 26, is entering his second season as a St. Pauli player and has set out to take on more responsibility on the pitch. On Wednesday, the midfielder took time out to speak to the media about this and other things.
Marcel Hartel on…
...the start of the season: "We've had a good pre-season and made excellent progress since returning to training. We're looking forward to the season opener against Nürnberg in front of a capacity crowd and obviously want to put in a good performance."
...people comparing the team to a lucky bag: "Some players have left the club, of course, but that's football, and we've made some good signings as well. If some people think we’re an unknown quantity, that's up to them."
...the ambitions of the team: "We have to find our feet first, pre-season was very short. Our aspiration is still to win games, though, and we'll do everything we can to do that. We want to play good football and give the fans something to shout about."
...his plan to take on more responsibility: "I want to be there for the team and lead from the front. I'm not a vocal type of player, but I'm trying to become that. That's my goal this year."
...the captain's armband: "No decision has been taken on the captaincy yet. I know what my role is. Whether I wear the captain's armband or not is of secondary importance or a different point."
…Bundesliga 2: "The league is incredibly evenly matched this year, that's clear. Any team can take points off any other. Week in, week out, well have to be 100 per cent focused and contest games successfully."
...the title of youngest team in the league: "The impression I get is they're all good lads who don't come across as young as it says on their ID card. They've settled in very well. The fact we're focusing on younger talent is an indication of the direction we're heading."
...his new shirt number: "The No10 has meaning because I always had it in my youth, so for me it's special. At the end of last season I asked Buchti if it was OK for him if I took the number and he said it was."
...the departures of Guido Burgstaller and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh: "We 've obviously lost a lot of goals and assists in Burgi and Kofi, but we have to make up for that collectively as a team. I'm sure we'll find our scoring form again."
...his own goal threat: "I do a lot work on my finishing with Loïc [Favé]. I think I'm on track to add more goals to my account."
...the team's style of play: "We won't change the way we play but rather continue to play pro-active attacking football. We hope we can deliver some exciting performances at the Millerntor."
Photos: Witters
