Stach ahead of the Cologne match: "I really want to contribute" | OneFootball

Anton Stach is in line to make his competitive debut for TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday in the game at 1. FC Cologne (15:30 CET, live updates on tsg-hoffenheim.de). Before the match, the new signing spoke to tsg-hoffenheim.de about the international break and the game in the Rhineland.

Anton, the two-week international break is coming to an end – did you make good use of your time on your new home pitch in Hoffenheim?

"Definitely. We worked a lot and used the time really well. It was all new for me, so I had a little bit more on my plate. And as some of the players were away on international duty, I got to know one or two of the players even better. But I feel very comfortable and the lads have been very welcoming."

Some of the internationals have returned following good experiences. Did you notice that in some of the lads?

"You can definitely tell that they are coming back brimming with confidence. Wout and Andrej, for example, scored two goals each. That is good for us as a team and can only help us if they return in such high spirits."

You could play your first competitive match for TSG in Cologne this weekend. Are you looking forward to it?

"Of course, very much so! I am extremely keen, and I hope that we can make it our kind of game. I really want to contribute to our success in Cologne."

Cologne are the team that run the most in the league, with TSG just two places behind in third. So will it be the intense game we are all expecting?

"It's always hard in Cologne. The stadium is full and the fans will push the team on. But we also have enough quality. It will certainly be a competitive game, and it will be the little details that decide the outcome. But we are well prepared, so I am confident that we will be able to enforce our style of play and then decide the game in our favour."

TSG's last defeat in Cologne was back in 2015. Why should we expect that run to continue?

"I was still at school back then (laughs). It will continue because we are in a good place and have made a good start to the season. We have worked very well over the past few days, everyone is highly motivated and we have great quality – that is why we will win in Cologne too."