'We're prepared for any possibility'

…the timing of the game against Mainz 05: "If you only have two days to prepare for the next opponent then that's very little. If you lose a game like we did at Heidenheim on Tuesday then it's good to put it behind you as quickly as possible and look forward to the next game. And that's what we've done: We've talked about the Heidenheim game and now we are fully focused on Mainz."

…lessons from the 2-1 defeat against Heidenheim: "You learn something about your team from every game. Our first half wasn't brilliant but it was okay and we moved the ball well. Heidenheim pressed higher up the pitch in the second half and that made it difficult for us to play through their lines. We gave the ball away too often and therefore only created a very few chances on goal. We need to do better – starting at Mainz on Friday."

…losing possession: "Every time we lose possession it's once too often for me. (He laughs). No, to be serious: It's clear to me that you're always going to lose possession in football. But if you have such good players as we do in your team then we shouldn't be losing the ball that often. I'm particularly annoyed by casually giving the ball away. It can happen that you lose possession in the final third but in build-up play – when there's no pressure on the ball or it's a case of simple passes – that mustn't happen!"

…the psychological effects of the defeat at Heidenheim: "We should never give the game away like we did at Heidenheim. But it happened, so all the players – exactly like us coaches – were very disappointed. But in terms of mentality, I have to say our players are very self-critical. And you have to be: We want to learn from the mistakes we've made and do better in the future – that's part of our development process. That's why it's also important in analysing games to be full and frank about everything that has to be done better. And that's what we did."

…the chance of moving into a European qualification position for at least one night with a victory at Mainz: "There's no point in thinking about that. Tomorrow's about how we play – that means: Where can we apply pressure, how do we exert pressure, how is our build-up play and how do we play our positional game. That will be more important and is also better than focusing on things like that."

…the intensity of the game against Mainz: "Mainz are a good and powerful team. We've only had two days break and that's not much. But that's the way it is. Tomorrow we'll need to start with the same intensity as we've done in all the games so far since I've been here. It won't be an easy away game, we know that, but we're going there to win."

…the opponents: "This season Mainz have played 4-4-2 – with a diamond in midfield – and they've also played 4-3-3 and sometimes changed around during the game. We’re prepared for any possibility. Nevertheless, as I always say: The most important thing is how we play and what we do tomorrow."

…the chances of Kai Havertz playing after his recent injury: "It's not clear at the moment. He only did parts of full training yesterday. Afterwards we’ll have the final pre-match training session and before that I'll speak to Kai and the medics. Then I'll know more. But the game against Mainz will be very tiring so all the players have to be 100 per cent fit and I'll only take players who are 100 per cent fit."