Jiri Pavlenka speaking to the media on Tuesday

Having won in Bochum, the Green-Whites sit in eight with eight points after five games, which Pavlenka is pleased with. However, he is disappointed by the number of goals the team have given up. “To have conceded so many goals is obviously a problem, so we have done a lot of video analysis and found out where we have to be better,” said Werder’s last line of defence. “I want to get better and better in every game and to help the team.” Pavlenka suggests he is helped to motivate himself to do this by second goalkeeper Michael Zetterer, who keeps the pressure on his teammate to maintain a high level. “He is a brilliant goalkeeper, a great guy and he trains really well. But, I also put pressure on myself to get better. I still want to take that next step, also with the national team,” explained Pavlenka to conclude.