The Green-Whites found themselves 5-0 down after an hour of their final home game of the season against TSG Hoffenheim. “We didn’t manage to bring the passion and play of our last few weeks to the game today,” said a disappointed Frank Baumann after the match.
“That was the first game for a while in which we didn’t perform the way we can over large stretches,” added the Werder sporting director. Three goals in the final half an hour did something to lift the spirits of the loyal Werder fans. Baumann: “It was nice for the fans that we scored a few goals in front of the Ostkurve at the end.”
We summarised the views of some of the key men involved in today’s game.
Robert Bauer: “We didn’t start the game well and went behind though individual mistakes – including by me. Hoffenheim had analysed our weaknesses and exposed them. Obviously we had a game plan and wanted to mix it up. The switch from a back three to a back four definitely played a role. We were disorganised at the start.
Zlatko Junuzovic: “We didn’t compete well enough for the first 55 minutes today. We let Hoffenheim play the ball around and they took their chances well. Going 5-0 down was tough. Then we started playing like we should have from the start. The reaction was good, but unfortunately it came too late. It’s hard to pull five goals back.”
Theodor Gebre Selassie: “We were asleep for all of the first-half. Hoffenheim’s goals came about through our own individual mistakes. We didn’t play well and didn’t create enough. We had a plan which we didn’t implement at all. It was good that we scored three goals, but the match was disappointing.”
Fin Bartels: “It was a poor game from us today. We gave away two goals too quickly. Hoffenheim took their chances really well. We were too slow in too many situations and didn’t compete well enough. Hoffenheim caused us many problems out wide on the counter. Too often in the match we didn’t defend well. We’re a little baffled as to how we let that happen.”
Thomas Delaney: “It’s a really negative feeling. We knew coming into the game how Hoffenheim play and still couldn’t find out how to get into the game. Being behind, and being behind 5-0 are two different things. We have to try to play our style of football again. We know what needs to be done.”
Alexander Nouri: “I’ll take the game on the chin. We had a plan that unfortunately didn’t work. We didn’t have the stability and security we needed in our game, but we have to realise that we were playing against a very strong Hoffenheim team. We made too many mistakes and were lacking aggression throughout several phases of the game, and were ruthlessly punished for that.
Frank Baumann: “We played lethargic football and allowed Hoffenheim to do as they pleased. Then we showed the quality that we possess so they found it harder. We woke up after an hour and showed morale despite it being 5-0. However, we have to be hard on ourselves because we missed some big chances and couldn’t recover from that so easily.”
Robert Bauer: “I’m suspended for the next game. The game will be a tough one. Dortmund have won many a game at home but we’ve shown that we can take down the big teams. The manager has often put us in a good position to win.”
Zlatko Junuzovic: “There are a lot of variables involved, but we’ll do everything we can whilst we still have a chance, and so we’ll travel to Dortmund with the intention of winning there.”
Theodor Gebre Selassie: “It’s important that we prepare well for the next game and play better. We have nothing to lose and will see where we stand in the table after the 90 minutes are up.”
Fin Bartels: “We have to work hard and give it our all in Dortmund. We’ll come to a conclusion after the game in Dortmund is over.”
Santiago Garcia: “I think that it’ll be tough to qualify for the Europa League. It’s not easy to beat Dortmund at home, but we can still say we’ve achieved something this season.”
Frank Baumann: “Dortmund are strong opponents who have a lot to play for and are at home. We have to concentrate from the first minute to the last and give it all we have one final time in Dortmund. We want to make the impossible possible there.”
Robert Bauer: “The fans did heckle us sometimes, like when we went in for the half – and rightly so. They’ve supported us through tough times and always stand behind us – even today. It’s well known across Germany that we have extraordinary fans.”
Zlatko Junuzovic: “Our fans have pushed us to achieve more in recent weeks and months, and for that I want to thank them on behalf of the entire team. We wanted to gift our fans the win today, but when you look at the entirety of the second-half of the season, we shouldn’t be disappointed with what we’ve achieved so far.”
Alexander Nouri: “The fans were superb again today and spurred us on despite being 5-0 down. I’m sorry we couldn’t deliver the fans a win at home and that we couldn’t give the players leaving us a worthy send-off.”
Frank Baumann: “The crowd honoured our efforts over the past few weeks with joy as the whistle for full-time was blown. We know what we have in them and they supported us once more, even when the score was 5-0. The team would have liked to end the season with a win in our final home game, but unfortunately it didn’t quite go to plan.”
