"Like a defeat"

Bitter, frustrating, painful: the last-minute 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt was a bitter pill to swallow for SV Werder Bremen at the death of an intense game. The Green-Whites, who put in a strong performance and showed real fighting spirit, came back from a deficit twice, only to end the night with just a single point secured. "The three points were there for the taking, but unfortunately, we didn’t secure them," said head coach Horst Steffen. Read the key reactions from Justin Njinmah, Jens Stage and co. in the mixed zone after the game, gathered here on WERDER.DE.

Head coach Horst Steffen: “The summary today is relatively straightforward. We should have seen the game out. If you look at the way the match unfolded, then we have to win it. The three points were there for the taking, but unfortunately, we didn’t secure them. Overall, especially in the second half, we showed a good approach to the game. Still, the disappointment after the final whistle is huge and we need some time to process that. At the end of the day, we’ve lost out on two points.”

Managing director for sport Clemens Fritz: “We didn’t start the game well and conceded an unnecessary goal. We can also do better with the second goal we conceded. Nevertheless, I saw a team that put real effort in and believed in itself, and also believed that it could score goals. It was a solid performance in terms of the fight we showed. On top of that, we managed to produce some really good play in the way we want to be doing. We had good numbers in the box and we were focused and hungry in the penalty area. These are the positives we have to take from the match. We all know the situation we’re in. In recent weeks, we haven’t picked up the points that we’d hoped we would. Still, it’s important to me that we keep looking forward in a positive way. Together, we’ll work our way out of this situation.”

Goalscorer Jens Stage: “It was tough. Overall it was a good game, but in the end, it’s two points dropped. It’s a massive disappointment for us. I’m angry and disappointed. At the same time, we can be satisfied with our performance. After the shock in the opening seconds, the team and the fans really pulled together. They helped us grow into the game, and over the course of the match we were the better side. We’re in a difficult phase at the moment. We have to stick together and keep working hard. Then the points will come.”

Yukinari Sugawara: “We played very well, we were so concentrated today. But after what happened in the final minutes, there isn’t much I can say. We have to defend that better, in the end it was too easy. After the last few games, we really wanted the three points and we had the chance here to win this one. In recent matches we’ve created opportunities, and today they were there again. The past few weeks have been tough, and we really needed those goals.”

Goalscorer Justin Njinmah: “When you’re leading right up until the final second, it feels like a defeat. We played a good game and were clearly the better team today, which makes it very bitter. We knew that we could definitely take three points from this. Then we went 2-1 down, but we also knew we’d keep getting chances and continue to control the game. I then had the chance to make it 2-2, which I have to score. Thank God Jens equalised and Jovan made it 3-2. If we’re honest, at that point we all thought we would win, because we were the better team.”

Debut goalscorer Jovan Milošević: “After my goal, the emotions were obviously running high. I’m really happy about scoring. It was a great ball from Samuel and a strong run from Romano. Their work made it easy for me to finish off the move. Apart from that, there isn’t much more to say. We have to look ahead. If we fight for each other like we did today in the next match as well, then I’m feeling positive going forward.”