DFB.de: Back in 1989.
Herrmann: I wasn't even born then. Obviously that's a great feeling to have, especially because it was also a very important game. That makes it even more special.
DFB.de: You now have a five-point advantage over Leverkusen. Granit Xhaka already said that a direct Champions League spot will be yours now. Would you agree with that?
Herrmann: We all know Granit (laughs). Things can go very quickly in football, but the position we finish the season in is up to us now. It was a huge step forwards, there is no denying that. But there are two more games to be played and we have to do our job first.
DFB.de: Gladbach have beaten all of the top sides during the second half of the season. What does that say about the team's quality?
Herrmann: It shows that we can keep pace with the top teams. We managed to beat a lot of them and secure a lot of points. This second half of the season is difficult to put into words. We have a really strong team at the moment.
DFB.de: That surely gives you confidence when you look at potential opponents in the Champions League next season, right?
Herrmann: If we get into the Champions League, which certainly looks to be the case at the moment, then it will be an indescribable feeling for us as players and for our fans. As a footballer, you are always working hard towards playing in the Champions League. It's going to be great if it works out for us this time.
Borussia Mönchengladbach fans were singing about the Champions League long before the end of the game on Saturday. When the referee did blow his final whistle, that was the signal for the players to join in with the celebrations. Right in the thick of it was 14-times-capped Germany U21 international Patrick Herrmann.
The 24-year-old was a key to Gladbach's 3-0 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen, scoring a goal and supplying an assist. With two games to go, Gladbach are in third place with a five-point advantage over Leverkusen, meaning they have all but secured a direct Champions League qualifying spot. Herrmann spoke to DFB.de about the important win against Bayer 04, his goal and his emotions when he thinks about playing in the Champions League.
DFB.de: Patrick Herrmann, congratulations on the 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. Was the game perhaps a bigger test than the result suggests?
Patrick Herrmann: Leverkusen have a fantastic team and it was a very, very tough game today. They played well and we put up some good resistance, had our fair share of the play and created chances. The result wasn't undeserved. We put in a brilliant performance.
DFB.de: You put in a good performance as well. You were initially denied twice by Bernd Leno, but you went on to assist a goal and bag one yourself. Things are going quite well for you these days, right?
Herrmann: Of course, and it's a great feeling to be able to contribute to the team's success. I should have scored a goal in the first half and the feeling of having missed a big chance stays with you for a while. I even thought back on it during the second half, but then everything turned out okay.
DFB.de: How does it feel to win a game at home against Leverkusen again? It’s the first in decades.
Herrmann: When was the last home win?
DFB.de: Back in 1989.
Herrmann: I wasn't even born then. Obviously that's a great feeling to have, especially because it was also a very important game. That makes it even more special.
DFB.de: You now have a five-point advantage over Leverkusen. Granit Xhaka already said that a direct Champions League spot will be yours now. Would you agree with that?
Herrmann: We all know Granit (laughs). Things can go very quickly in football, but the position we finish the season in is up to us now. It was a huge step forwards, there is no denying that. But there are two more games to be played and we have to do our job first.
DFB.de: Gladbach have beaten all of the top sides during the second half of the season. What does that say about the team's quality?
Herrmann: It shows that we can keep pace with the top teams. We managed to beat a lot of them and secure a lot of points. This second half of the season is difficult to put into words. We have a really strong team at the moment.
DFB.de: That surely gives you confidence when you look at potential opponents in the Champions League next season, right?
Herrmann: If we get into the Champions League, which certainly looks to be the case at the moment, then it will be an indescribable feeling for us as players and for our fans. As a footballer, you are always working hard towards playing in the Champions League. It's going to be great if it works out for us this time.
DFB.de: Can you describe Gladbach's performances since the winter break?
Herrmann: They have been phenomenal. We all knew after the winter break that it would be difficult to do the same in the second half of the season. But what we have achieved so far surpasses our expectations. It's hard to put into words just how wonderful it really is.
