The players were given the day off on Monday but Dominic Maroh could be found training in the weight room. Having overcome his injuries the 1. FC Köln Defender feels ready to take on 1. FSV Mainz 05 on the weekend.

According to the training plan there was nothing scheduled today. Yet, here we find you training in the weight room. Can you tell us why?

“I wanted to remain active. The coach gave us two days off, but there is almost always somebody here [at Geissbockheim]. The injured players are here for treatment and you will find others training individually. It is also nice to train when there are not as many people here.”

You are in the final week of preparation leading up to Matchday 17. In all three preseason matches you played 90 or more minutes. How do you currently feel?

“Great! My body feels even better than expected and the preseason matches went well. I was able to get comfortable alongside my teammates. We are playing with the right amount of space on the pitch and the communication is working, which is not something to take for granted. The games were a lot of fun and it was nice for me to be able to play again.”

A Hinrunde like the one you experienced is probably one you hope to not be replicating anytime soon.

“No way. It was a very strange situation indeed. Especially considering that I largely escaped injuries in the previous season. I can take it all in stride now and am simply looking ahead.”

One prominent internet site has given you the highest rating in your career thus far. How do you see these types of ratings?

“I personally do not place much value on them. I currently feel like I am better than ever, but there are many reasons for this. The team has continued to get better but so have I, which is something I can give Peter Stöger credit for. We have built up a stable foundation over the years. It is something the younger players can benefit from, but myself as well at 29.”

You just mentioned your age. On March 4th it will not be just the Bayern match.

“Yeah, you are right. That is when I am turning 30. Of course it will be special considering that we will be hosting Bayern. I hope to have a second reason to celebrate in addition to my birthday. But I am not afraid of the number 30. I feel fit and healthy. I do not expect much to change when I turn 30, except for the younger guys giving me a hard time every now and then.”

You will now resume the season on the road against Mainz. How do you see the team at the moment?

“In comparison to the summer where it is hard to place yourself in relation to the competition, we now have a firm grasp of who we are. We did not lose the previous three matches and allowed very little space to our opponents. We will approach our next challenges with confidence. Besides, Mainz has lost their best player…”

Do you mean Yunus Malli or Christian Clemens?

“Good point! But Malli put on some very solid performances in the first half of the season for Mainz. We will see whether they will try to replace him. The late Sunday games are always somehow different, and playing in Mainz will not be easy. Four of the first five competitive matches will be on the road. It will not be easy but that is the situation we are in. We are preparing ourselves accordingly. I think we have shown in the past that we can play against anybody when we play to our limits, and that is what we intend to do.”