'Have to realise we need to catch up in the league'

…the personnel situation: "Apart from slight injuries or knocks, all the players came through the Gladbach game fit and well. Two days after a game like that in a busy run of fixtures, the lads are not at their freshest but they're all keen to play in the home game against Hoffenheim. We've got a full squad for tomorrow – Julian Baumgartlinger and Charles Aránguiz are both available."

…the attitude: "We can't allow ourselves to taken in by the positive  input of the last few days but instead we have to realise we need to catch up in the league in terms of points."

…preparations for the forthcoming game against TSG Hoffenheim: "We primarily try to look after ourselves and be as well-prepared as possible for all situations. We know how Hoffenheim play and we're thinking about which strategy Julian Nagelsmann will opt for against us. Of course, we've taken another look at their Cup defeat at Leipzig and it will be intersting to see how they line-up tomorrow. They have a lot of possession, amongst the highest in the league. I'm curious about whether they might play a bit differently against us."

…the reasons for the two recent clear victories: "I said after the Cup game, that the results at Bremen and Mönchengladbach were somewhat excessive and didn't actually reflect the course of the game. In the phase where the results weren't going right we showed great morale at times: We had some very good phases in those games where we just missed that little bit of luck. For example, in the game against Borussia Dortmund where we were winning 2-0 and Kevin Volland only hit the post just after the restart or the ball came back off the inside of the post. Now luck's on our side – with the first goal at Mönchengladbach scored by Julian Brandt the ball went in off the inside of the post. I've always said that ease and confidence return when you get good results. It's just important not to lose your belief and to be optimistic going into games. I'm happy we've done that in two games now. But it's also important that we stay hungry and maintain the determination to carry on in the same vein."

…possible changes in build-up to the game: "We prepared (for Bremen and Mönchengladbach, ed.) in exactly the same way as the games before. I encouraged the players to believe in themselves and their performances. The lads did it: We started with a back three in both matches but then we changed it round during the game when we were put under pressure. The players did it very well and in both games they were really prepared to work against the ball. Even though we didn't have that much possession we were very disciplined. And that will be our basic approach tomorrow."

…morale in the team: "The desire was always there – I remember our first Europa League game in Rasgrad, where we were behind and the team played with great spirit. I think the grit was there the whole time and the determination to overcome the recent difficult situation. Nevertheless, we have to maintain our hunger and our progress isn't over with the last two games. We need to continue where we've left off."

…praise from the Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann: "Julian Nagelsmann is an outstanding coach. If you look at the stats then you can see Hoffenheim have 16 out of 18 goals this season in the second half mostly after making tactical changes – he has a good nose for it. He's a brilliant coach but I don't think he's right with that (that Bayer 04 are his favourites to win the title, ed.)."

…Leon Bailey: "We talk to each other a lot. He's not happy at the moment and he wasn't with the Jamaica business either. We have to help him and it's down to me, of course, to get him back to where he was. It's important for him to be relaxed when he's playing as he was a year ago when he was very successful. And we've seen with Karim Bellarabi how quickly it can turn round. We're working on it. We want to help him and it's obviously his desire to produce more top performances."

…possible rotation in tomorrow's game against Hoffenheim: "Julian Nagelsmann has rotated in the last three games at least so I assume he will do it again this time. We're keeping all options open and we'll wait and see what happens in training today to make the best decisions. We have a full squad to choose from."