Embolo: “Attacking the new year with fresh energy”

After the 1-1 draw with TSG Hoffenheim, Breel Embolo discussed the Foals’ performances, his opening goal and the upcoming winter break.

Breel, how do you sum up yesterday's 1-1 draw?

Embolo: The draw is fair at the end of the day. Hoffenheim had their chances and we didn't hide either. It was a difficult away game and so we will happily take the point. It will do us some good, especially when you consider the great form that Hoffenheim are in and the fact that we've lost four consecutive games here recently.

Borussia went ahead thanks to your second goal of the season…

Embolo: I'd already had another chance to score shortly before that and so I was still quite bitter about it. so I was happy to be in the right place and just have to put the ball home on our next attack. We have to take the positive things from this game. That's important for us as a team and for every individual player too.

You had some good spells and long periods with plenty possession, especially in the first half. Why didn't that last for the full duration of the match?

Embolo: Good question. In the first half we defended better on the whole, even during a strong period for Hoffenheim. That spurred us on to our own attacks and we came into the game by doing the simple things well. We weren't bad to start the second half either. We knew that the first 10 or 15 minutes would be difficult and we came through that well. After that we were too passive though, we let ourselves get pressed back too much and we weren't able to play out on the counter.

What's going to happen after the Christmas break? What is there left to play for for Borussia this season?

Embolo: It's a hard situation for us and it won't get any easier in the new year. We have to solve these issues together as a team. I'm the kind of guy who prefers to see things positively, though. If we work hard, plenty is still possible. Every single match in the Bundesliga is difficult and so it's only worth focusing on each game as it comes.

But first, are you looking forward to spending some time at home over Christmas?

Embolo: Yeah, a few days off will do us good. Everyone can analyse the first half of the season for themselves and weigh up their own performances. But it's also important to spend time with your family now, to enjoy it and to switch off a little so that we can attack the new year full of energy once again.