‘It will be a completely different game to the Bayern match'

…player availability: "We don't know yet. Today is just the second day after the match – and sometimes you only know how the game has affected players after the second day. Some are definitely sidelined – Kai Havertz (hip injury, Ed.), Lars Bender is out as are the other long-term injuries – Panos Retsos and Joel Pohjanpalo.

…Lars Bender's injury: "I can't say how long he'll be out for. He has a torn thigh muscle and there are various possibilities of how serious that is."

…the after-effects of the 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich: "I think the win against Bayern is primarily very good for our confidence. We've beaten a top team. That shows we can play our game with our players. But we also know that the next game in football is always the most important one – we have to reproduce that confidence in every game. What's done is done – now it's down to us to win the tough cup tie at Heidenheim."

…increased euphoria: "I've been in football for a long time. It can all change very quickly – for example, when you don't play well in a cup game and end up with a bad result. We are happy we've shown we can win against a team like Bayern Munich. But that's done and dusted. And therefore I know the players are not euphoric. Now we have to look forwards again. We clearly know where we want to go and how we want to get there. And we're working very hard and intensively on that."

…the DFB Cup tie against FC Heidenheim: "It will be a completely different game to the Bayern match. But that doesn't mean it will be any easier. Cup games are always special. A special match where you can go through or get knocked out in one game. And the same will be true tomorrow."

…the opponents: "They might 'only' be a second division side they're doing well and are near the top of the table. We watched the game against Kiel (2-2, Ed.) and we were able to see that it won't be easy. They have a clear and direct style of play. In Frank Schmidt they have a coach who's been there for a long time – that's also very special in modern football. And, I have to say, he's doing a very good job."

…the intention of rotating against Heidenheim: "That's definitely a possibility. But the Cup tie is very important to us – we want to field a team we think can win the game."

…positives and negatives about his team: What I do like is the players are really keen. That's always important when you want something – you need to be ready and that's there. But there are still a lot of things we have to work on. Above all, that we don't lose possession so easily and that's still happening too often. Because if we lose the ball then we have to fight to get it back straightaway. And if you lose the ball more often than you have to fight to get it back more often. That costs strength because the games recently have been very intense. We need to improve in that respect."

…his recipe for success, above all on working with younger players: "Of course, we have a lot of individual discussions. But often we just leave the players alone. Because if they do well and then you have a word with them then perhaps they don't do it so well afterwards (he laughs). It's all about feeling. But the most important thing really is readiness: If the players really want to learn and also accept the style of play then everything happens quicker. And as I said: Since the first day I've been here that readiness has been evident and that helps enormously. And it's also clear: Quality is also important at the end of the day. And our players have that quality."