Elvedi: "We feel good about this win" | OneFootball

We spoke to centre-back Nico Elvedi after the win against TSG Hoffenheim about the successful start to the season, his defensive colleague Ko Itakura and his goal in the 3-1 victory.

Nico, there was a fan march before the game on Saturday, with over 4,000 VfL supporters marching from the Alter Markt to BORUSSIA-PARK to drum up the atmosphere. Did you notice it as you were getting ready for the match?

Elvedi: Yes, I noticed it, we saw it on Instagram too - and it was great to watch. That pushes you even more and maybe gives you a few extra percent, which is what you need in a game like that. The atmosphere in the stadium was great regardless. The fans were once again outstanding, and I think we were able to give something back this time. We played a good game, won 3-1 and got our first three points. It all went really well.

Your side gained the numerical advantage after Posch received a second yellow in the 19th minute. Did that make it easier for you?

Elvedi: Of course, when you have the extra player, everyone expects you to win the game. However, it’s always the case that the opponent will sit back afterward and make it hard for you to score. It’s important in this situation to stay patient and create chances calmly. Eventually, a gap will open up for you. I think we did that well yesterday, and it’s great that we scored from a set piece. Against such a compact opponent, being able to score from a set piece is extremely important.

How important was it to equalise before the break and get back into the game?

Elvedi: That was extremely important. When you're behind despite being a man up, the pressure is even greater. But we held it down and reacted well. It was great that we equalised before half-time and could then focus on attack in the second half.

You had a new partner in the centre of defence in Ko Itakura. How did that work out from your point of view?

Elvedi: I really liked playing with Ko on Saturday, it was a lot of fun. I think we complement each other well on the pitch, we get on well. Ko is a calm guy like me. Against Hoffenheim, we had a bit more defensive work in the first half hour, but after that we had a lot of possession and opened up the game from the back, so I have a good feeling with Ko on the pitch.

Your effort to make it 3-1 put the game beyond doubt. How did you personally feel about the goal?

Elvedi: It was important for us to score another goal when it was 2-1 so that we could be certain of the win. It then also makes it all the more difficult for Hoffenheim, who we know are a strong team, but we finished the game with confidence and deserved to win.

When you scored your goal, you had a very tight shooting angle and decided to go for the near corner. Did the goal-scoring instinct of a centre-back shine through there?

Elvedi: For me as a defender, it was unusual to have the ball so directly in front of the goal, but there was no time to think about it, I just had to put my foot through it! I aimed for the near corner because I believed that the goalkeeper was expecting me to go across him into the middle, which worked out perfectly – but Alassane Plea’s ball was tailor-made for me.

Kicking off the season with a win has added to the good mood at Borussia. How do you feel about it?

Elvedi: It's very nice to start the season with a win and of course a nice bonus for myself to get a goal of my own. It gives me and the team a good feeling ahead of upcoming matches, and more importantly confidence, which I think will help us with our next objectives.