Marcelo Bordon: "We have to battle in every game"
22.10.2009
Ahead of the clash with Hamburg SV defensive linchpin Marcelo Bordon spoke to schalke04.de about the positive situation the Royal Blues find themselves in and why he does not believe Hamburg's additional involvement in the Europa League is a disadvantage for them.
Marcelo Bordon, do you already know who you'll be partnering in central defence against Hamburg SV on Sunday?
I don't even know whether I'll be playing. Everyone's ready to play at the moment. But I've already played alongside Carlos Zambrano and Benedikt Höwedes this season and I have to say that both are quality players.
The recent wins in the Bundesliga have put you in a good position going into the clash with the team in second place. 
This is down to our hard work and the effort we have put in in training. Everything's simply falling into place at the moment. Against Hamburg we have to make sure we put in another good performance and keep the three points at home.
What is Felix Magath's particular contribution to this success?
He's been successful wherever he's gone, and not without reason. I trained under him in Stuttgart ten years ago and I have to say he's even better now than he was then. His appointment was decisive for me staying at Schalke because everything I do, I do with a target in mind. And I know that Felix Magath is a coach who also sets clear targets. I have him to thank for giving me new motivation.
One of the targets Felix Magath has set is to win the league with Schalke during his four-year stint here. Is that already a possibility this season?
We aren't presumptuous enough to believe everything will go superbly well this season and we'll never make mistakes. We are clear in our minds and we know we don't have enough quality for things to happen by themselves. We have to battle in every game.
Borussia Dortmund will face league leaders Bayer Leverkusen before you entertain Hamburg on Sunday. Will you be keeping your fingers crossed for your arch rivals?
We're not interested what other clubs do. The most important thing is that we win. If we win every game it doesn't matter what happens elsewhere.
Do you think it could be an advantage for you that Hamburg are involved in the Europa League this week?
I don't think it's relevant. Personally I'd prefer to play every two days rather than train because that way you maintain your rhythm.
