“We know why it didn’t work”

Defeat in the cup at Eintracht Braunschweig, defeat in the Bundesliga at 1. FC Union – Hertha BSC’s start to the season failed. On Saturday (3.30 p.m. / Sky) it is in the Olympic Stadium against Eintracht Frankfurt. Before that, midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng spoke in a media round. Here are his most important statements. Boateng spoke about…

… the follow-up to the derby: We dealt with it quickly. We have to look ahead. We analyzed what was not good. We know why it didn’t work. The coach addressed that very well right after the game. Then we looked again today at a few actions. So it’s ticked off.

… the reasons for the defeat at Union: It was the intensity, the duel behavior. Unfortunately, what we did very well in Braunschweig for 60 minutes was completely missing in the derby. We have worked that out. Everyone looked in the mirror and had to admit that none of us played well and none were in top form. We can’t look back now, we want to grow, even with the mistakes. We have to do that as soon as possible. I have a good feeling. The group took it well. You saw that in training too. The atmosphere was good, we pushed on. That’s the way it has to be.

… the upcoming game against his former club Eintracht Frankfurt: It’s always very emotional to play against previous teams. Even if it was only one year for me, it was an intense and emotional year. I’m looking forward to it. It will be special and beautiful. There will be two teams that are at eye level in terms of the game. We want to play intensively, Frankfurt too. This is going to be very interesting.

… his contact with the former club: Eintracht has also changed a lot, there aren’t that many left from my time. We’re still in contact with the kit man. He’s looking forward to getting another jersey from me (laughs).

… his impression of the new Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz: He brought a breath of fresh air from day one, and he still does the same today. I have to compliment him on how he keeps walking his path and following his line. That’s exactly what we need: someone with backbone who walks straight and doesn’t stray from his path and change formations. He stands by us, he said, he trusts us 100 percent.

… new signing Jean-Paul Boëtius: I know him. We played against each other when he was in Mainz. He was a very disgusting opponent. He is a buffalo and handles the ball well. That’s exactly what we need. He’s a box-to-box player, has charisma. In terms of football, we know what he can do. He’s a “laugh man”, laughed the whole time today, I think that’s positive. The coach already knows him. He can only help us. I’m glad he’s here. If he steps on the gas, he could take my place. But he has to get past me first (laughs). Competition is fun.

… the reaction of the fans after the defeats in Braunschweig and at Union: The positive thing is, the fans understood that. That maybe it wasn’t our day. Of course it’s always difficult to lose a derby, as a Berliner and Herthaner I know that. But not going on strike again straight away was very important news from the fans: that they’re behind us and that we want to grow together this season, something want to build.

… the new President Kay Bernstein: Our president has the Hertha DNA, that’s the positive thing. He knows exactly what it means to give everything for the club. When you meet him, when you see him, he doesn’t say hello, he says hahohe. That says a lot. We always talk about the Hertha DNA, we always talk about real Herthaers and there we have one.

… his physical condition: I feel good. I’m a little mad at the coach for substituting me so early (laughs). No, I feel really good, I’m fit. I don’t know if it’s always enough for 90 minutes, the coach decides when I play and how I play. I’m always ready, I feel ten times better than I felt at the same time last season. The most important thing is that I stay healthy

… his new position in midfield: It’s exhausting, the way the coach wants to play, with the intensity and the pressure. But I’ve done all the preparation, I’m ready to go the way. The coach knows that, that’s why he put me up. I’m glad I lost a few pounds and I’m so fit, otherwise I couldn’t do it.

… things that need to improve on the pitch: We have to score goals, simple as that. Intensity, accepting duels harder and scoring goals. We have to be dangerous up front again. But it was one game, we still have 33 games left, so much can still happen. But I’m in good spirits because I see the dressing room, nobody has the feeling “Oh God, we lost the derby”. Of course we’re disappointed, also angry, and that’s why it’s good that we have the next chance to do better on Saturday.

… the goal of the season: A goal for the season is not yet an issue. We don’t know who’s coming, who’s leaving. There’s still a little time before we have the squad complete. The aim of the season is, as boring as that sounds, but I’ve learned something: win the next game.