Borussia Dortmund are in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup after their 2-0 win at FC Augsburg and will be playing cup football after the winter break. Marcel Schmelzer spoke to DFB.de about the ambitions of manager Thomas Tuchel, the dogged battle with Augsburg and the mental strength of his teammates after a successful first half of the season.
Question: Mr Schmelzer, how do you assess this convincing 2-0 cup win over Augsburg after a gritty first half?
Marcel Schmelzer: It's somewhat deceptive, as we were aware of how the game would be played out. We wanted to stay secure in defence, as you always want to avoid conceding away from home, because it makes your job a lot harder. I think we did a good job at the back.
Question: Were you lacking anything going forward as a result?
Schmelzer: It's hard to attack against the Augsburg back four, so it perhaps didn't look as impressive from us as it usually does. However, we weren't bad in the first half. Granted, we found the net a couple of times in the second half, which made things a little easier, but it was still a hard game that we deserved to win in the end.
Question: It was tough work, wasn't it?
Schmelzer: That's right. It was exactly as we'd anticipated. We put our manager's instructions into action; we defended well, and were clinical in the second half. We could perhaps have put the game to bed a bit sooner with a third goal.
Question: What made the game particularly hard?
Borussia Dortmund are in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup after their 2-0 win at FC Augsburg and will be playing cup football after the winter break. Marcel Schmelzer spoke to DFB.de about the ambitions of manager Thomas Tuchel, the dogged battle with Augsburg and the mental strength of his teammates after a successful first half of the season.
Question: Mr Schmelzer, how do you assess this convincing 2-0 cup win over Augsburg after a gritty first half?
Marcel Schmelzer: It's somewhat deceptive, as we were aware of how the game would be played out. We wanted to stay secure in defence, as you always want to avoid conceding away from home, because it makes your job a lot harder. I think we did a good job at the back.
Question: Were you lacking anything going forward as a result?
Schmelzer: It's hard to attack against the Augsburg back four, so it perhaps didn't look as impressive from us as it usually does. However, we weren't bad in the first half. Granted, we found the net a couple of times in the second half, which made things a little easier, but it was still a hard game that we deserved to win in the end.
Question: It was tough work, wasn't it?
Schmelzer: That's right. It was exactly as we'd anticipated. We put our manager's instructions into action; we defended well, and were clinical in the second half. We could perhaps have put the game to bed a bit sooner with a third goal.
Question: What made the game particularly hard?
Schmelzer: The fact that it was an away game in Augsburg, and that they're very strong going forward. Raul Bobadilla is like a tank – it's very hard to keep him quiet. They also have a lot of fast players who are very good finishers. We had to be on our game, and we were. It was a very good match. I have to compliment the team for keeping a clean sheet away from home.
Question: It also seems like the players have a certain mental strength about them. Where does that come from?
Schmelzer: We were well prepared and that was evident on the pitch. The self-confidence we've picked up so far this season also played a role. We move the ball around well and make it hard for opponents to come back. Like I said: We were excellent at the back, and I also have to praise our attackers, who tracked back well and put in a shift in defence.
Question: Is the aim to win the cup?
Schmelzer: We always said that we wanted to stay in the cup over the winter break. Now we've managed that, the aim is obviously to win the cup. The cup is always hard because there are a lot of potential stumbling blocks on the way, but we already have a few Bundesliga clubs out the way.
Question: On the whole, are you proud of your first season so far under manager Thomas Tuchel?
Schmelzer: Absolutely. I'm proud of everyone in my team. You have to compliment the team when you look at how well players play together even if it's for the very first time. We've done very well so far this season.
