Christoph Kramer speaks in an interview about his recent deployment as a centre-back, the Foals’ performances so far and the upcoming home fixture against RB Leipzig on Saturday (18:30 CEST).
Chris, with a couple of days to reflect on it now – your thoughts on the 0-0 in Freiburg?
Christoph Kramer: All in all, I thought we deserved the point in Freiburg. Before the game started I had hoped that we would score a goal, and that was certainly on the cards during the match, as Freiburg had to chase it a little bit more. I think we played a very good game over 65 minutes, then we fell away a bit on the wings. It’s a shame that we didn’t win the game.
You played as a centre-back, a position you’re not used to – how did you feel playing there?
Kramer: Good. When you normally play as a six, it’s not a big difference in terms of how you operate. You’ve got to defend with more focus in the back line, but it’s more comfortable as you run less than two kilometres during the game, and you can’t normally be caught in possession from behind, that’s why I felt very at ease in this position.
You’ve got nine points in the bag after six games – how do you feel about that tally?
Kramer: Seven points after three games sounded better. I’m still frustrated about the Mainz match – not only the result, but how we approached the game in the first 20, 30 minutes. Had we secured the three points there, our position in the table would look even better. But everything is going fine and looking solid. I feel our performances have been better than the points we have to show for it, so if we can keep our performances consistent over the course of a season, our points tally will do that justice by the end.
On Saturday evening (18:30 CEST), you take on RB Leipzig at the BORUSSIA-PARK. What sort of game are you expecting?
Kramer: Leipzig are no longer just the intense team that play a 4-2-2-2 and chase down second balls, like they had played for a while. Now, they’re a classy football side with players like Forsberg, Szoboszlai and Nkunku, who like having the ball and don’t want to chase it. We’re going to be visited by a team who, under the leadership of Marco Rose, focus on their gegenpress but also try and create their own chances. Leipzig have got a lot of depth through Werner and Nkunku, and they’re good in the wide areas as well as up front, so we will have our hands full. But it’s a Saturday evening, 18:30, at the BORUSSIA-PARK – is there anything better?
Do you think Leipzig’s recent change of coach may still influence the game?
Kramer: To what extent do you think Leipzig’s recent change of coach may still influence the game?
And you’d also to want to go into the international break on a high.
Kramer: Of course. To go into the break with a win just makes those conditions easier, the atmosphere is more relaxed – and it will do us some good in the table.
