Tranquillo, you signed for Hannover 96 at the beginning of the 2004/05 season, but injuries restricted you to just nine league appearances. Despite that misfortune, what do you remember of your time in Lower Saxony?

Barnetta: “It was my first club in the Bundesliga and I was just so happy to be given an opportunity. We had a really good team back then, and I think back on my time there as a really great one.”

This weekend you take on your old club as Hannover travel to Leverkusen, with both sides currently competing for the UEFA Europa League places. How do you assess the development of your former team in the past few seasons?

Barnetta: “Hannover have developed brilliantly. Last season was a huge success for them when they qualified for Europe, and that’s something they can definitely repeat this season. And in Europe they really impressed too; it was a big surprise to see just how well they competed on the international front.”

You missed around nine months with a knee ligament injury. How did you motivate yourself during that time and what advice would you give to players in similar situations?

Barnetta: “I always gave myself simple and easy targets to meet. The biggest frustration you feel is that you won’t recover. Of course there are times when you try too much in your recovery and sometimes set yourself back.  But at those times I had a lot of support from the people around me. My advice would be just to work hard and be patient.”

In your time playing in the Switzerland national team, you have had contact with Hannover’s Mario Eggimann. How do you rate his performances this season?

Barnetta: “Mario has played really well this season. I’m happy for him that he’s been able to get a lot of playing time. That gives him confidence, and the national team can benefit from that.”