Despite trailing 3-0 early on, SV Werder Bremen came back to win 4-3 at TSG Hoffenheim. Afterwards, the Green-Whites spoke about being satisfied with their reaction following the three early goals. Read on for all the post-match reaction from within the team.
Head coach Ole Werner: “It was a crazy game; I’ve never experienced anything like that and it’s only rarely happened before for Werder. The first 15 minutes were disastrous. The way in which we entered into every duel was key and we lost all of them during that phase. Of course the red card for them helped us, but we also had to make sure that we played well with the man advantage. We were enjoying ourselves out there and managed to score four goals, so hat’s off to the team for that.”
Head of professional football Peter Niemeyer: “To be heading home as the winners after a game like that feels good. We barely won any tackles in the opening moments of the game. The red card changed the game and I have to give the team a massive compliment for the way in which they played from then on. The red card and our first goal were both moments where we put them under pressure and believed that more was possible. I hope that Jens Stage hasn’t used up his shooting boots here already — he’s a great lad and a strong character without our team, so I’m very happy for him.”
Proud of this team ????#werder#tsgsvwpic.twitter.com/7ygy96tvzl
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) September 29, 2024
Jens Stage: “I’ve spoken to many people at the club about how scoring my first goal would bring me more confidence and that a second would soon follow. I’ve had chances in several games, but today I kept my cool and was more clinical. Overall, it was a very chaotic match with emotions high on both sides. Our mental strength defined us today, as we were able to come back from 3-0 down and remain focused.”
Romano Schmid: “First of all, hat’s off to the team for the way in which we managed to play following the red card. We had the game under control from then on and put them under a lot of pressure. We didn’t start the game poorly, but instead created a good opportunity to score, before going on to win barely any of our tackles. We need to analyse that and be critical, because we cannot allow that to happen against any side in the Bundesliga. After the red card, we managed to generate options, were brave when in possession and managed to take our chances with the man advantage. We are a close-knit group and knew that we had what it takes to turn the game around after making it 3-1. We also had the feeling that we’d manage to make it 3-3 before the break still, which showed a strong spirit. This is definitely a very special moment that we’re able to experience here today.”
Michael Zetterer: “The first 12 minutes were a catastrophe and we fully deserved to be trailing 3-0. We then showed great spirit, although the red card was also a factor. However, we cannot allow what happened in those first 12 minutes to happen again. Getting a goal back was crucial and overall, hat’s off to the entire team. To come back to win a game like that is a great feeling and we want to carry it with us.”
Based on the past, we’ve learned how to play when we’re a man up.
Marvin Ducksch: “There’s nothing to be said about the opening 15 minutes — I don’t have the words to describe what happened there. It was a shock for all of us. But, the way we reacted as a team was great, as was how we played. Based on the past, we’ve learned how to play when we’re a man up. Every showcased what we’re capable of and that we’ve grown as a team. It was good for us that today we had a clinical Jens Stage on our side. I’m extremely happy for him.”
Derrick Köhn: “I’m very relieved. We weren’t in the game at all during the opening 15 minutes. From then on, everyone showed what they’re capable of and that we believed in ourselves, which is why I’m incredibly proud of the team and that we’re taking three points back to Bremen. We conceded all three goals relatively quickly, but then said that we had enough time left to come back — the key moment that gave us even more hope was then the red card. To go on and score four goals is incredible and speaks to the spirit within the team.”
