Saturday's top game certainly delivered the goods, with Bayer Leverkusen eventually winning a thrilling contest 5-2 against newly-promoted, on-form Hoffenheim.
Patrick Helmes was not among the scorers on this occasion. But as he explains in interview, the 24-year-old striker is for the most part happy about the way things are going so far.
Bundesliga.de: Congratulations, Patrick Helmes. Your 5-2 win knocked the league leaders off their perch.
Patrick Helmes: The league standings don't really count for much two games into the season. We knew that Hoffenheim can play. They didn't win their first two games by chance. But we're the first team they've faced who are going to be in the mix at the top of the table. We won the game. It was pretty close at times, for sure - if we hadn't conceded those goals the result would have been more clear-cut. But there was never any danger that they would make it 3-3. When we scored the fourth it was all over. You can see that we're into the groove now.
Bundesliga.de: What aspects were particularly pleasing from a Bayer point of view?
Helmes: We carried on where we'd left off in the first two games. Now we're on six points. It should actually be nine, because we shouldn't have lost against Dortmund. But there's no point in complaining. We were up against a strong side in Hoffenheim, and it was important that we got our set-pieces working. And that was certainly the case with the first two goals.
Bundesliga.de: How is your partnership up front with Stefan Kießling going?
Helmes: Very well. Stefan Kießling is another very mobile striker. We complement each other well. He's stronger than me in the air. Our team works well together as a whole. It's great that all the forwards are finding the net. And Simon Rolfes has to be complimented for keeping things tight behind us. But we're not just good up front, we're very solid at the back too.
Bundesliga.de: How difficult was it for you personally to adapt to playing up front for Leverkusen after your move from Cologne?
Helmes: There are differences, but my role here is the same as it was in Cologne. I have top-drawer teammates here, which makes things easier. I'm enjoying life at Leverkusen, and I think it shows.
Bundesliga.de: Moving on to the national side: you're back in Joachim Löw's squad. What goals have you set for the two opening World Cup qualifiers?
Helmes: I'm glad to be back in contention again. I'm just hopeful to get to play a part in one or other of the games, and if I do I'll be looking to score a goal. I'm not the type to set myself targets. I'll just be happy to get a game.
Bundesliga.de: Nothing more?
Helmes: No, the main thing is to be playing. The rest will come by itself.
Bundesliga.de: Have you had any feedback from the national team coach?
Helmes: No, I find everything out from the papers, just like you do. I don't need any feedback anyway. I know what I'm capable of and what I'm not. So I'll get my games at some point.
Bundesliga.de: Bayer Leverkusen are in good form at the moment. Is the break for international action coming at the wrong time?
Helmes: No, it's not a bad thing. We've got two weeks. A lot of players are away.The ones who aren't can concentrate on preparing for the Hamburg game.
Bundesliga.de: Are HSV the first proper test of where you're really at right now?
Helmes: We've played strong teams already. Dortmund, Stuttgart and Hoffenheim are all quality opponents. We're travelling to Hamburg and we'll be looking to win there, too.
Interview Tobias Gonscherowski / Translation: Angus Davison
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