[Oliver_Kahn]

bundesliga.de met up with Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt to speak about the present situation and the match against his former club.


bundesliga.de: Why is Bayer so inconsistent?

Hans-Jörg Butt: There are various reasons. After the two wins over Sion (3-1) and Schalke (3-1), there was a certain over-confidence that we have to fight with all our might. Everyone has to realize that we need to go with into a match 100 percent concentration. We mustn't rest on our laurels. That absolutely didn't work in Stuttgart (0-3). We have often proved what we are capable of. Therefore it's even more absurd that we can't put a long run of good performances together.

bundesliga.de: Bayer lost goalgetter Dimitar Berbatov to Tottenham in the summer. Is Bayer's current squad better or worse?

Butt: There's no need to discuss arrivals or departures. Our team is strong enough, we've already shown that this season. Consistency is our problem. You have to be at your best in 80 or 90 percent of the matches to have success in the Bundesliga. And that's simply what we're not managing to do. We are at 40 or 50 percent at the moment, and that is not enough to have permanent success.

bundesliga.de: Bayer was involved in the fight against relegation in the first half of last season. Do you think something similar could happen this year?

Butt: You just need to look at the table: we have eight points to show from seven matches. If we carry on like that, that's not even 40 points at the end of the season. Then you know that it could be a difficult season.

bundesliga.de: Is a part of Bayer's inconsistency down to young players in key roles, like Stefan Kießling (22 years), Gonzalo Castro (19), Tranquillo Barnetta (21) or Simon Rolfes (24)?

Butt: No, certainly not. These players - with the exception of summer signing Kießling - all played consistently on a high level in the second half of last season and helped securing fifth spot. We've got a good blend between very experienced and young, talented players.

bundesliga.de: On Sunday Bayer host your former club Hamburger SV. A special match for you?

Butt: I've joined Bayer in 2001, and I've played quite a few times against the HSV since. But it is still something special. I had a great time there, and I still have many connections to Hamburg.

bundesliga.de: Which match between Bayer and Hamburg is still fresh in your mind?

Butt: I always like to think back to the last match which we won 2-0 away. That was an important match to clinch UEFA Cup qualification. I would be very pleased if Sunday's match finished with the same result, of course.

bundesliga.de: What do you make of the current situation in Hamburg? Will that make the match even more difficult?

Butt: I would prefer to play the HSV at another time. They are under real pressure to get out of the relegation zone. It's going to be tough for us.

bundesliga.de: You must be following the ongoing discussions about the goalkeepers behind Jens Lehmann in the German national team. Do you still have ambitions yourself?

Butt: Of course! That subject is not ticked off yet. I have played on a high level consistently in the last years. I've nearly always played in Europe, often in the Champions League. Therefore I'll do anything to play for the national team again. I'm trying to call attention to myself with good performances. Of course I hope to be noticed and to get another chance.

bundesliga.de: Who do you consider your main rivals for the place behind Lehmann?

Butt: I certainly don't need to hide behind anyone.