Took penalty with torn ligament

Ömer, after eight years in the West of the Republic you've now moved up north. How were you received in Bremen? And are there any cultural differences?
Toprak: I've had a great reception from the people here in the club, the players, the coaching and support staff and I feel as if I've been playing here a lot longer than just three months. While they say the Rhinelanders are cheerful souls and very open and that the people from the North are more reserved, I can say from my experience that I've been welcomed with open arms in Bremen and I feel really at home in the city and at the club.

You got injured at Hoffenheim on Bundesliga matchday two. How fit are you now and is it possible you will play in the away game in your old hometown?
Toprak: It would be a really special game for me. And I hope it works out. I feel good, I’ve dealt well with the workload, although I’ve become a bit careful with diagnoses because I thought I would be able to play in our last away game at Frankfurt but then came more problems and I was sidelined.

Nine points after eight games – and three draws most recently: What's your assessment of the situation at Werder?
Toprak: We're coming out of a very difficult situation with 11 or 12 players injured at times. In that respect, the points return is okay. Particularly when you see that we picked up points at Dortmund and Frankfurt. We were disappointed after the game against Hertha. We played well, were the better team and had more chances; but in the end it was a 1-1 draw. We weren't satisfied with the one point

Just like Peter Bosz, Florian Kohfeldt also likes to play attacking football and doesn't avoid holding onto the ball. What's special about the work the coaches do at Werder?
Toprak: Florian Kohfeldt and his coaches stand for courageous, attacking football with a clear approach to the game. And they want to win every game. They set an example of that in every training session and that mentality is absorbed by the team.

Due you still follow what's happening at Bayer 04? Is there anybody at the club who you are in regular contact with?
Toprak: Of course, I always keep an eye on what's happening at Leverkusen. I am in touch with Ramazan Özcan, Kai Havertz and Karim Bellarabi from time to time.

What are your memories from your time at Leverkusen?
Toprak: I associate Leverkusen with a very successful time in my career. We were successful domestically and played in the Champions League. It was a time where I developed from a player into a leader. I was vice-captain back then. The club showed their confidence in me after my accident although nobody knew whether I would be able to take the additional burden of playing every three days due to European competitions.

How do you think things are developing at Leverkusen?
Toprak: Bayer have a very strong team with outstanding individual players and a very good coach plus an approach to the game I like. At the moment, there's perhaps a lack of consistency but they are certainly capable of beating any opponent.

How do you think Saturday’s game at the BayArena will turn out?
Toprak: It will be another difficult away game for us but we’re going to Leverkusen looking to win. Although I know it will be a difficult task given the strength of Bayer at home and the individual class of the players.

And finally, another somewhat touchy subject: When we think of Bayer 04, Werder Bremen and Ömer Toprak, unfortunately we think off the penalty in added time on 10 March 2017. With a certain distance and a nod and a wink, the question is: What went wrong? And have you taken a penalty since?
Toprak: We had a difficult phase due to the change of coaches from Roger Schmidt to Tayfun Korkut. I was vice-captain and my move to Dortmund was already sorted. I suffered a torn ligament in the first half of that game that later put me out of action. But in the game against Werder I was able to stick it out. I was the penalty taker for the team and it was clear to me that I'd take it. Anyone who knows me knows that I always lead the way even if it's difficult at the time. People thought it didn't matter to me what happens as my move to BVB was already confirmed. Unfortunately I missed and the game ended 1-1.