On Friday evening, SV Werder put in a committed performance in a fiercely contested match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and were rewarded with a late goal from Niclas Füllkrug. The hosts were on level terms for a long time, but failed to find a way past the brilliant Jiri Pavlenka. "We were lucky for a long time, today, including when we took the lead. We made far too many simple mistakes in possession. But we countered well," said head coach Ole Werner about the performance.
WERDER.DE summarised the thoughts of head coach Ole Werner, Niclas Füllkrug, Leonardo Bittencourt and Mitchell Weiser following the game:
Ole Werner: “We didn’t start the game well. We had lots of problems and gave away lots of silly chances. We also lost our grip just before half time. If you give the opposition so many opportunities with the ball, you have to control your own phases of possession better. We had some hair-raising moments when we gave the ball away today, with these often ending in counter attacks. We were lucky for a long time and fortunate as well to have gone into the lead. The equaliser was, again, down to giving away possession and not closing up the space in front of our defensive line. It was a shame because we had actually calmed the game down quite well after our opener. So, it was even more painful to break our structure and give the ball away unnecessarily. In possession, we just made too many simple mistakes. But we countered well ourselves today, which was important. All in all, we’ve had better games, but in terms of our mentality and our fight, it was a really good performance.”
Mitchell Weiser: “It was a feisty game. But we already knew that heading into fixture with both teams playing five at the back and with similar positioning. We didn’t get into the game all that well and had to do a lot of running, but it’s great that we were able to pull out the win at the end there. As long as it’s 1-1, you always believe there is still one more goal to be had and we want to force out the win, even if we haven’t had that many great chances. Hoffenheim had a few opportunities themselves. But in a back-and-forth stage like that, it’s all about making the most of your chances.”
Leonardo Bittencourt: “It could have gone either way. I think we defended well. In the end, we got the penalty because we kept pushing. That is our philosophy, our style of play. Of course, it can backfire at times and you can easily lose a game like that. But today, it went our way, and we were rewarded. You don’t rewarded just because you get gifted something – it’s the hard work that goes into it that is the part that is rewarded. Plus, at the moment, we have a bit of luck on our side.”
Mitchell Weiser: “I was fouled. There was clear contact. It looks odd because he hooks my left leg away but I take another step with my right. But I was off balance and that’s why it’s a clear foul for me.”
Leonardo Bittencourt: “If there’s contact in the box, then the referee has to give the penalty. I think Mitch was actually trying to play on. The fall looks a bit funny, but in fairness, he is trying to carry on. When you get tripped like this, it’s hard to stay on your feet.”
Niklas Füllkurg: “I’m not looking at the table. Of course, we knew what was possible since the media had been talking about it all week. For us, every point is important. We’ve got another win away from home with a strong performance against a very good opponent. Our greatest strengths as a side are our unity and our style of play. We never let ourselves get diverted off our path. In fact, people already know how we are going to play, yet we always find ways to succeed and solutions to our problems. That shows that we belong in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, we have to stay down to earth because we know where we come from. We’re not going to make mountains out of molehills.”
Mitchell Weiser: “I don’t look at the table. For us, the points are the only thing that matter. We have our own goals. Every three points is extremely important. We are in a good patch at the moment and, of course, we feel good. The fans can dream – it’s nice to feel that way – but you have to stay realistic.”
Ole Werner: “It is clear that we cannot walk on water. We have to work hard for everything we do and also rely on a little bit of luck. We’ve also had games where a few things have gone against us. Today, they went in our favour. It’s important to have a certain mental stability. That we stay down on earth, that we keep hold of any shots that come in and defend right until the final whistle, just like Stage did so brilliantly at the end there.”
