Jonas Hofmann: "It feels like we were just waiting for one to fly in" in Kicker interview post-Hoffenheim

Jonas Hofmann had a run of games in recent weeks of starting games for Bayer 04 on the bench under Xabi Alonso.

Against Qarabağ in the first leg of the round of sixteen tie and against Darmstadt, Bayern Munich and Heidenheim he only came on periodically.

However, in spite of this he has five goals and eight assists in a stellar Bundesliga season, his first as a Bayer 04 player.

Bayer Leverkusen scored in the eighty-eighth and the ninety-first minute to turn around a 1-0 deficit at home against Hoffenheim to win last Saturday during matchday 27 in the Bundesliga.

After the tie, Kicker spoke to Hofmann about the manner of the victory and he said: "We pull together and don't start hitting long balls out the back."

He added: "We keep playing with our boots on and it feels like we're just waiting for one to fly in. We've done that a few times, it gives us energy."

Also, he said: "If it doesn't work on one side, then we move over the six to the other side and wait until that gap is there, if the opponent sleeps for a moment then strike."

Lastly, Hofmann added: "We are a ball-possession team that has an outstanding composition. We have a mix of old, experienced and young, less experienced players."