Mads Pedersen is in good spirits following the 1-0 victory over 1. FSV Mainz 05. The left-back has plenty of reason to be, having earned a place in the starting eleven. In an interview with FCA TV, the 24-year-old talks about the game in Mainz, his own performance and also looks ahead to the upcoming game against Hertha BSC (Saturday, 15:30 CET).

"I'm doing well, the win last weekend was a great feeling," Mads Pedersen looks back positively. The match against 1. FSV Mainz 05 was an important one for FC Augsburg. "The three points were so important," the 24-year-old said. Despite the high amount of pressure ahead of the game, the left-back remained calm. He never lets himself get carried away before kick-off: "There's always an element of tension, but I'm never really nervous. In football, it's important to always approach the game with a positive attitude."

As on the previous matchday against Bayer 04 Leverkusen (1-1), FCA benefited from an error from the opposition goalkeeper, this time Mainz's Robin Zentner. "You just have to say, 'thank you,'" Pedersen said. For him, however, taking the lead was not down to luck but rather hard work from his side: "Like in the previous game, we applied a lot of pressure, and that's how the mistake came about." The full-back had special praise for his teammates Florian Niederlechner, André Hahn and Daniel Caligiuri and also has encouraging words for Robin Zentner. "In football, everything is possible, and everyone makes mistakes," said Pedersen.

Pedersen: "At the end of the day, it’s not about who plays"

"You have to have confidence in your own performance and always work hard," says the left-back, explaining his place in the starting eleven. Pedersen feels a strong connection to FCA after a year and a half is fully connected emotionally in every game. "Whether you're in the stands, on the bench or on the pitch, you always have to support your team and give it your all. At the end of the day, it's not about who plays, it's the three points that count in the end."

Next Saturday (15:30 CET), FCA take on Hertha BSC. Pál Dárdai's team strengthened once again in the winter, but the capital side have not been able to record a victory in any of their nine games (two draws, seven defeats). Pedersen is focused ahead of the clash: "Saturday's game is very important. Hertha are a good side with a lot of talented players. It will be a difficult duel, so we have to work hard and stick together, like in the past few weeks." Pedersen wants to keep up the good recent defensive performance but sees more room for improvement going forward. "We have to be brave, then we can pick up three more points on Saturday.“

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