We need 150%

Eurohandball.com talks to 1. FC Nürnberg coach, Herbert Müller who talks about the two weeks past since the game in Győr.

Eurohandball.com: You hosted Lada Togliatti last round and you suffered a surprising eight-goal defeat. How did that happen?

Herbert Müller: We had simply no chance as they were better. The Russians are much stronger physcally, in addition, we had many ill players before the game. Maja Sommerlund and Sara Walczik were also injured. We could not prepare according to our plans, but I’m looking for no excuses: Lada deserved to win as they were better on the day. They were better one on one, especially Postnova and Dadydenko.

Eurohandball.com: The defeat did not destroy the team and you proved it in the German Cup quarterfinals (21-42 victory)...

Müller: We played very well in Dortmund. I could give a chance for the whole team. We wanted to reach the final four and we could make it. We were determinded during the whole game and our defence was also good.

Eurohandball.com: The teamplay you have seen there could be a good sign before the Győr game?

Müller: Partly yes. It is good to see the team moving so much together. Of course, we must not forget that we played against the first ranked team of the German second division, while we will have to play this weekend against the first ranked team of the Hungarian championship. The latter, as we have seen last week, have beaten a Valcea full of stars.

Eurohandball.com: Have you seen that game?

Müller: Yes, and I was especially happy for the outstanding performance of Simona Spiridon who is member of the Austrian national team. I was taken aback by the superb play of Zsuzsa Tomori as well.

Eurohandball.com: I guess the focus is on the second game against Győr…

Müller: Yesterday we only had a light training after the cup game. As the flooring is being prepared for the game on Saturday, we are training in another hall now. We will watch video together and I hope that we will play a great game. I know that we would need a 150% performance to beat the Hungarians. I can promise that we will the utmost to say goodbye to Champions League for this year with a nice game!

Eurohandball.com: You played against Valcea and Győr as well. You saved a point against the Romanians. Are you preparing for a similar success?

Müller: If Győr will play as they did against us in the first 20 minutes of the game, we will hardly have any chance. If we look at the second half of that game when we came back to three goals, in addition, the crowd will help us this time, then anything is possible. Nevertheless, I still say that we will not be the favourites of the game.