Vedad Ibiseivc has been scoring at such a rate that the legendary Gerd Müller says his own Bundesliga season record could fall by the wayside.
Ahead of Friday's 'match of the season' (so far), the Hoffenheim striker talks in interview about his aims at the club, how he's looking forward to the winter break and of course the big one at FC Bayern.
Question: How much are you looking forward to the game against the champions, Bayern München?
Vedad Ibisevic: We're very much looking forward to it. We want to carry on in Munich where we left off against Bielefeld, and turn up the heat again. And of course, we're going there to win.
Question: Bayern sporting director Uli Hoeneß views Hoffenheim as his side's most serious title rivals at the moment. Do you concur with that?
Ibisevic: Well, that's his personal opinion. We're in a very good position, but we have to prove ourselves afresh in every game. If we rest on our laurels now, we'll lose in Munich.
Question: Bayern München have no shortage of firepower up front in the form of Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose. How do you aim to see the game through in the Allianz Arena?
Ibisevic: It will be very important that we remain compact again. Bayern have a lot of quality in their squad, but if we stick to our own game and work hard, we'll manage this one too.
Question: With a three-point lead and the better goal difference, even a defeat would leave you in with a chance of leading the table going into the winter recess. How much would the 'half-time title' mean to you?
Ibisevic: It would be a nice confirmation of what we've achieved, for all of us. But it's still only half time and in the back end of the season we have to take it a game at a time again, just as we have so far.
Question: Will you be disappointed on a personal level when the first half of the season is over? Everything's going so well for you at the moment…
Ibisevic: No, I'm looking forward to the break. We're all a bit tired and could do with a good rest. But I hope, and believe, that we'll have just as much success in the second half of the campaign as we've had in the first.
Question: Former world class strikers such as Rudi Völler have praised your instinct and nose for a goal. Do you feel honoured by such comments?
Ibisevic: Absolutely. It's great when people like that talk so positively about me and it acts as a further incentive too.
Question: At 24, you've still got a lot of years ahead of you. Where do you see yourself in the future?
Ibisevic: I've been through a lot in my career already. And I've learned that you can't foresee what's coming next, in football or in life. At the moment I want to enjoy these great times with the team. What happens at the end of it, we'll see.
Question: You're currently top of the scoring chart. What does that mean to you?
Ibisevic: It's great. But it doesn't mean I'm going to start getting carried away about my ability. I aim to keep working on myself and learn as much as I can from this phase.
Question: Is the team slowly starting to think about winning the title?
Ibisevic: Not really, and it's good that way. There are so many games still ahead and it's going to be anything but easy. We got a taste of that against Hertha Berlin, and Leverkusen.
Question: Will Hoffenheim be travelling to Munich as favourites?
Ibisevic: Of course not. Bayern are favourites - they're always the favourites!
Interview by Daniel Dillmann in Hoffenheim / translation Angus Davison
Hoffenheim go top
Ibisevic scores and scores and scores
Champions serve up a late, late show