Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramarić on scoring goals, aims for the season and staying at the club
Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramarić has started the season on fire, with four goals in his side's first two Bundesliga games. In this wide-ranging exclusive interview with bundesliga.com, the 33-year-old discusses his playing style, aims for 2024/25 and why he's stayed at the club for so long.
bundesliga.com: Your hat-trick in Matchday 1 means you have scored in the first game of a season for a fourth time in the Bundesliga. Can you explain it?
Andrej Kramarić: “It’s hard to explain it. I don’t have the words for it. Of course I’m really happy that I've done it, but let’s say the secret… I don’t know. It just happens. I’m just trying to play football, to enjoy it, and of course to win, to score. It happened again this year.”
bundesliga.com: You seem to need a special flow to score your goals. Would you agree with that?
Kramarić: “That’s true, I need this flow. I think that every player, especially strikers, needs a flow to be in good shape, to have a good feeling on the pitch, to create spaces and chances. Then the last thing is just finishing. But there are so many small details inside the game, so it’s very hard to say how and what to do. Of course, you also always need a little bit of luck in the game – and also in general in life. And if everything works well together, then you’re on a good path.”
Watch: Kramarić's hat-trick against Kiel on Matchday 1
bundesliga.com: You appear to also be in a flow when you dribble. Every defender in the Bundesliga knows how you move, but sometimes it’s impossible to defend. Can you describe that?
Kramarić: “It’s also not easy to say, but I think Thomas Müller said it best when he said he was a 'Raumdeuter', someone who finds the spaces between the lines and where he can be the most dangerous. Sometimes if you're not the quickest player on the pitch you have to think a little bit quicker. And this is exactly what I try to do. I hope that I’m doing well with it.”
bundesliga.com: Hoffenheim finished seventh last season. What are you expecting over the rest of the campaign?
Kramarić: “It’s going to be a difficult season, especially because we’re also going to be playing European games. It depends on the squad, on the team. Are we going to be ready to play a game every three days? We’ll see. It’s very hard to predict. Last season we had some moments in the middle of the campaign where we didn’t play so well and were struggling. But in the end, seventh place was really amazing and a fantastic job from the team.
"This year, it’s hard to predict because in the Bundesliga everybody can beat everyone. If you’re not at 100 percent, you’re going to lose. If we’re going to be ready to perform every three days, then everything is possible. We have some new players here. It's hard to say at the beginning how good they are. But the Bundesliga is always interesting. It’s hard to predict. I hope we can do well again, and of course it’s always our goal to play European competitions. We’re going to give everything for that.”
Watch: Magic moments from Kramarić
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bundesliga.com: What are your goals and expectations in the UEFA Europa League?
Kramarić: “For sure, it’s our wish to play in the knockout phase. And then after that, everything is possible. Like I said, in football everything needs to connect. You have to have a little bit of luck. If you’re ready mentally, I think everything is possible. I believe that we have a good team.”
bundesliga.com: Hoffenheim's next game is at home to champions Bayer Leverkusen. Are they the biggest challenge in the Bundesliga right now?
Kramarić: “Alongside Bayern, for sure. To be honest, last season – even before the season – I predicted that Leverkusen were going to win the title. Everybody is surprised with that, but for me it was clear that they have a great team with a great coach, with a clear football style. For me, it was not a miracle.
"It’s going to be a tough match. Everybody knows how they play. They didn’t change a lot. I really look forward to playing against the best teams.”
bundesliga.com: You are very happy at Hoffenheim and you have often said that your family is a big reason for you staying at the club. What makes life so happy for you here?
Kramarić: “Only the people from this region, the Hoffenheim players will understand my words. Simply, it’s a beautiful life, very calm. For a family it’s a special place, for the kids. Everything is amazing and it’s one of the biggest reasons why I’m still here.”
Watch: The best of Hoffenheim in 2023/24
bundesliga.com: Do you stll have dreams you want to achieve in football?
Kramarić: “It had a lot of dreams, to be honest. When I was a kid, I had some dreams, but I'll keep those to myself. I think that I fulfilled my dreams from the beginning. It was for me the most important thing was to enjoy the football, to love football, to play in one of the best leagues, in one of the best clubs in Europe. For me, this is still Hoffenheim. I’m really happy with my career.”
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