Jantschke: “It was a fantastic evening!”

Borussia’s 3-1 win against VfB Stuttgart was memorable for several reasons. One of the biggest stories of the night was Tony Jantschke’s return to the starting line-up for the first time in nearly 10 months. In an interview, the 32-year-old spoke about the game, his performance, the return of some of his teammates and also looked ahead to the final two games of the year.

Tony, congratulations on the 3-1 win against Stuttgart and on being in the starting XI. How are you doing the day after the game?

Jantschke: I’m good, even though my body has certainly felt better. The last time I started a game was back in January, so I feel a bit tired, but overall I’m doing well. You can train as hard and as much as you want, but playing 90 minutes in the Bundesliga is a different level entirely. I was taken off in the 81st minute because of a knock to the thigh in the first half, so nothing serious.

You won an impressive 73% of your challenges against VfB – more than any of your teammates. How would you describe your performance?

Jantschke: I don’t really define myself based on my performances, but rather on our wins. If we manage to win as a team and as a club, then I’m happy. As a result, it was a great evening.

You are one of Borussia’s most experienced players. What goes through your mind ahead of a game?

Jantschke: I had a big smile on my face when we first stepped onto the pitch on Friday. As you get older, you never know when it might all come to an end. It makes you look at every away game differently, because you never know if it might be your last time at that stadium. It’s the same here at BORUSSIA-PARK. That’s why I’m just enjoying it all and I was very happy that the coach decided to start me.

Another story of the game was the return of Jonas Hofmann, who was able to use the first chance to fall to him to score in just the fourth minute. How important was it for you to get off to a good start on Friday?

Jantschke: Well Hoffi does get paid to score every now and then! Seriously though, we started the game well, both assist from Lasso were brilliant. Then we perhaps should have scored even more, which would have given us more breathing room. After that, Stuttgart scored a great goal and played better leading up to half time. In the second half, we managed to defend everything with the exception of the chance shortly before the end where Tobi Sippel made a sensational save. We also had two or three situations on the counter where we didn’t find that final pass in the penalty area. All in all, it was a deserved win.

You have already mentioned the save from Tobias Sippel, which was almost celebrated like a goal. How important was that for him after the last game?

Jantschke: When you have not played for a while, it is not easy to come in and not make any mistakes. I know that from personal experience. Sippi was simply now able to show his quality.

Patrick Herrmann also impressed in his cameo appearance. How did you find the goal to make it 3-1?

Jantschke: Honestly I wished that we got the goal to make it 3-1 earlier. Since the goal was scored at the full time whistle it was not that important for the course of the game, but it obviously added to the result and of course for Flaco especially and the BORUSSIA PARK. It was a classic Flaco goal, in that we took the ball a bit too wide but then finished it perfectly into the far corner.

There are still two games before the winter break, on Tuesday in Bochum (20:30 CET) and on Friday at home once again against Borussia Dortmund (20:30 CET). What do you think of these upcoming games?

Jantschke: Bochum would definitely have imagined their season going differently and have changed their head coach. Nevertheless, they always do well in home games. They are a hard nut to crack. Due to the relegation game I won I have a special relationship with Bochum. I like the stadium and the crowd. We want to get three points there and all in all give every in the two remaining games to try to get the maximum points possible.