DFB Cup fever is showing no signs of waning. On Wednesday evening, 1. FC Heidenheim face Hertha BSC in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup. This is the first time that FCH have been amongst the final eight teams in the competition - a real highlight for captain Marc Schnatterer. The 30-year-old attacker has experienced numerous success stories with the club, and has seen the team rise from the regional leagues to the 2nd Bundesliga since his arrival from Karlsruher SC in 2008. In an interview with DFB.de, he discusses the upcoming match, his relationship with FCH, and his desired opponent for the cup final in Berlin.
DFB.de: What will you need to do to leave the pitch as winners?
Schnatterer: Above all, we need to have a great day, but we can only be successful if we work as a collective. We need to be prepared to give our all for one another. We don't want to make things easy for Hertha and accept defeat before the game's even started.
DFB.de: FCH have already knocked out Pirmanens, Sandhausen and Aue away from home. What advantage do you have now that you're playing in front of your own fans?
Schnatterer: Our supporters could be a key factor in the game. The quarter-final is a highlight for the team, the fans and the entire region. Our fans will push us forwards and we'll do our best to give them something to cheer.
DFB.de: You got a good result at the weekend with a 1-0 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf. What effect does this win have ahead of the cup clash?
Schnatterer: We obviously wanted to get the new year off to a good start with a win, which we managed in Düsseldorf. We're going into the quarter-final with the wind in our sails and we'll enjoy the time leading up to the game.
DFB.de: Heidenheim are hovering in mid-table in the 2nd Bundesliga but have one of the best defences in the league, with only 20 goals conceded. What are the team's special qualities?
Schnatterer: We've done a good job so far of remaining solid at the back. However, I think we have work to do with regards to our attacking play. One of the reasons for that is that we had a few changes in our squad over the summer. It takes some time for everything to click. It was crucial for us to be able to see out our 1-0 lead in Düsseldorf.
DFB.de: You've been in Heidenheim since 2008 and you've experienced the rise from the regional leagues to the 2nd Bundesliga. Do you ever have to pinch yourself?
Schnatterer: The last few years have been like a dream come true for me. Both promotions were very emotional, and sometimes I have to rub my eyes a bit when I think about everything that's happened. It's great that we've managed it.
DFB.de: You've signed a 'retirement contract' through to 2020. Could you still imagine a change of scene?
I don't even think about it. I've committed myself to the team for the long term and I'd like to see out my contract. There's no question of a move elsewhere.
DFB.de: You wouldn't even consider a move to the Bundesliga?
Schnatterer: I'd be lying if I said the thought never crossed my mind. I could, however, imagine getting promoted with Heidenheim. Paderborn and Darmstadt have shown in recent years that you can make the jump up to the Bundesliga with relatively small means, but this season is all about staying up for us.
DFB.de: If we look ahead to the future: The cup final is on 21st May in Berlin. Who would you want to face?
Schnatterer: (laughs) Honestly, if we made it, I wouldn't care who we faced. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to play on the big stage in Berlin.
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DFB Cup fever is showing no signs of waning. On Wednesday evening, 1. FC Heidenheim face Hertha BSC in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup. This is the first time that FCH have been amongst the final eight teams in the competition - a real highlight for captain Marc Schnatterer. The 30-year-old attacker has experienced numerous success stories with the club, and has seen the team rise from the regional leagues to the 2nd Bundesliga since his arrival from Karlsruher SC in 2008. In an interview with DFB.de, he discusses the upcoming match, his relationship with FCH, and his desired opponent for the cup final in Berlin.
DFB.de: What will you need to do to leave the pitch as winners?
Schnatterer: Above all, we need to have a great day, but we can only be successful if we work as a collective. We need to be prepared to give our all for one another. We don't want to make things easy for Hertha and accept defeat before the game's even started.
DFB.de: FCH have already knocked out Pirmanens, Sandhausen and Aue away from home. What advantage do you have now that you're playing in front of your own fans?
Schnatterer: Our supporters could be a key factor in the game. The quarter-final is a highlight for the team, the fans and the entire region. Our fans will push us forwards and we'll do our best to give them something to cheer.
DFB.de: You got a good result at the weekend with a 1-0 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf. What effect does this win have ahead of the cup clash?
Schnatterer: We obviously wanted to get the new year off to a good start with a win, which we managed in Düsseldorf. We're going into the quarter-final with the wind in our sails and we'll enjoy the time leading up to the game.
DFB.de: Heidenheim are hovering in mid-table in the 2nd Bundesliga but have one of the best defences in the league, with only 20 goals conceded. What are the team's special qualities?
Schnatterer: We've done a good job so far of remaining solid at the back. However, I think we have work to do with regards to our attacking play. One of the reasons for that is that we had a few changes in our squad over the summer. It takes some time for everything to click. It was crucial for us to be able to see out our 1-0 lead in Düsseldorf.
DFB.de: You've been in Heidenheim since 2008 and you've experienced the rise from the regional leagues to the 2nd Bundesliga. Do you ever have to pinch yourself?
Schnatterer: The last few years have been like a dream come true for me. Both promotions were very emotional, and sometimes I have to rub my eyes a bit when I think about everything that's happened. It's great that we've managed it.
DFB.de: You've signed a 'retirement contract' through to 2020. Could you still imagine a change of scene?
I don't even think about it. I've committed myself to the team for the long term and I'd like to see out my contract. There's no question of a move elsewhere.
DFB.de: You wouldn't even consider a move to the Bundesliga?
Schnatterer: I'd be lying if I said the thought never crossed my mind. I could, however, imagine getting promoted with Heidenheim. Paderborn and Darmstadt have shown in recent years that you can make the jump up to the Bundesliga with relatively small means, but this season is all about staying up for us.
DFB.de: If we look ahead to the future: The cup final is on 21st May in Berlin. Who would you want to face?
Schnatterer: (laughs) Honestly, if we made it, I wouldn't care who we faced. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to play on the big stage in Berlin.
