We completed our move to the Europa-Park Stadion on Monday. Are you already finding your way ok to the training ground or do you still need the satnav?

I can manage from memory now. My route to the new stadium has actually been shorter ever since the move because I live outside the city.

We have been playing matches at Europa-Park Stadion for four months now, however, and it really is our new home now. What are your first impressions?

Everything is a lot newer and more modern than at the Dreisamstadion. That brings with it a lot of positives, but the Dreisamstadion had its own advantages. Now it’s about getting settled here quickly, getting used to everything, finding our way around and basically getting on with things as we did in the old stadium.

Have you got a favourite place yet?

We haven’t really been here long enough, but the recovery room with the pool is not to bad (he smiles).

And what do you still need to get used to?

I often still find myself wondering where some things are or where I need to bring certain things. The way to the physio room is also a bit different. But I’m sure we’ll get used to it pretty quickly.

It didn’t take you long to get back after recovering from Coronavirus You had to sit out against Bielefeld and Dortmund, but you were back to play Stuttgart. How tough was your time in quarantine?

I have to say, on the first day, a day off wasn’t too bad (he chuckles). But seriously, of course I didn’t want a positive test right at the start of the new year, but the situation now means that you can catch Covid even when you’re careful. I hope I now have a bit more protection because of it, and that I don’t get it again. Sitting about at home was not a lot of fun.

How did it feel being back on the pitch after being at home?

It was a really great feeling. I was back training after eleven days out. I first had to get used to the demands of a session again and the first week was tough. You can’t underestimate how much strength and stamina you lose when you’re on the sofa for ten days watching TV.

Last week was a week off competitive action for the whole league, but the DFB-Pokal draw was made. What do you think about our quarter-final tie with Bochum?

What can I say? We have a score to settle. We will go there in March and try to do our best again, but this time we want to leave with a positive result.

What do you remember from the Bundesliga game in Bochum?

It was a decent game. We started well, took a 1-0 lead and were playing great. At some stage we lost our way a bit and then lost it because of two unfortunate moments. You’ll have matches like that sometimes, but we will have a chance for revenge in the cup and also in the reverse Bundesliga fixture. We definitely want to do that.

There’s still some time before the start of March, and there is a lot of football to play before then. A win against Stuttgart came just before the international break. You must have better memories of that game than of the one in Bochum...

For sure. When you do the league double over your derby rivals, it is something to enjoy. In the meantime, however, we have put that behind us and our full focus is on the game in Köln. Ideally we want to win that one as well.

Kick off in Köln is on Saturday afternoon. What should we be prepared for in Köln?

I think it will be just as tough as the first game (1-1). Both teams will really want to get the three points – we definitely will. It won’t be easy, but regardless of how we go about it, we will play to win.

Interview: Marcel Burger, Sina Ojo