Hahn: “I wasn’t expecting them to do this well before the season started”
The attacker gives an interview before the home game against VfL Bochum
First Team
04.12.2021, 08:45
André Hahn led the team out against Hertha BSC as captain for the first time last weekend. The 31-year-old spoke about this experience, the significance of the fans and the upcoming home match against newly-promoted VfL Bochum (Saturday, 4th December, 15:30 CET).
André, after Jeffrey Gouweleeuw was ruled out of the game shortly before kick-off, you were selected to captain the side in Berlin. What was the experience like?
First of all it was a huge honour! I was so pleased to get this vote of confidence from the head coach who allowed me to captain the side. I’ve never done that in my professional career before. But it didn’t change my approach to the game at all. I’m an experienced player and I always try to help the team on the pitch, I’m very used to being vocal and communicating with the lads on the pitch.
The WWK Arena is not allowed to welcome any spectators to the match against Bochum. Has that had an influence on your preparations for the game?
We want to concentrate primarily on the game and our upcoming opposition. But you cannot deny that the impact of the fans on us is very positive and that after everything we went through last season, we enjoy every opportunity we get to play in front of our supporters. The fans give us that extra boost we need to help us get a goal and get good results. You could see that against Bayern more than anything. But we are still professionals, so we try and make sure they don’t have a complete influence over us.
„I’m happy to congratulate them on their successes this season, as long as we’re above them in the table come the end of it!“
You’ve got a really significant match against Bochum coming up, and after what happened in the DFB-Pokal, you’ve certainly got unfinished business with them.
You’ve got a really significant match against Bochum coming up, and after what happened in the DFB-Pokal, you’ve certainly got unfinished business with them.
Is it surprising that a promoted side is doing so well to compete in the top flight?
I wasn’t expecting them to do this well before the season started, but that shows just how good their coach is and what a strong team they have. VfL are a difficult to team to play away when their fans are in the stadium, and we’ve experienced that first-hand. I’m happy to congratulate them on their successes this season, as long as we’re above them in the table come the end of it!
