Rene Adler has been one of the best Bundesliga players this season. bundesliga.de talks to the Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper.
bundesliga.de: Bayer have ended a winless run of four matches with the 2-1 win at Hansa Rostock. Did the team turn the corner at the right time?
Rene Adler: The win in Rostock was very important, given how our rivals played. But we know that the victory has just kept us in the race. Everyone knows that we have to win against Bremen. If we lose we would probably end the season empty-handed.
bundesliga.de: Werder have won the first leg 5-2 and defeated Hanover 6-1 a week ago. Does that frighten you or is the first-leg defeat a special motivation?
Adler: We're not afraid, we want to win the match by all means - that's everything that counts. We have to play from a well-organised defence, but we also know that Bremen offer many opportunities to their opponents. We play at home and will play for the win.
bundesliga.de: Why will Bayer secure UEFA Cup football in the battle with HSV, Wolfsburg and Stuttgart?
Adler: We don't look at the other teams. We have to win our match, then we're in the UEFA Cup. If we don't we're out. I don't want to add other results, I don't care about them.
bundesliga.de: Coach Michael Skibbe has thrown youngsters Jens Hengeler and Marcel Risse in at the deep end recently, just like he did with you last season. Did you have any tips for them?
Adler: The boys did very well. Jens was a bit unlucky to be sent off in Rostock, but he too contributed to our win. Just like Marcel Risse, who came in because of Stefan Kießling's suspension. I don't know if he will play against Bremen, the coach will decide that. The team know him for a while know and we trust him.
bundesliga.de: The season is almost over. How would you sum it up?
Adler: It's easier to answer that question after the Bremen match. Our goal for the season was to reach the UEFA Cup. If we beat Werder we've achieved that and played a good season. But I don't look back and think about what could have been if we had won a few more matches.
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