The wait for a first win of the season goes on. There were disappointed faces all around the Weserstadion after the game against the Fohlenelf. The unhappiness was not just felt in the stands but also on the pitch after a disillusioning 2-0 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach. By the time the full-time whistle had blown, both fans and players alike were forced to settle for a result which was very different to one that they had envisioned.
WERDER.DE summarised the post-match reaction from the Gladbach game.
Frank Baumann: “We were really off the pace in the first half. We were too passive, we only reacted, and we didn’t act ourselves. We were more proactive in the second half and created chances. The fact that we couldn’t make the most of these chances stems more from our lack of self-belief at the moment. We lacked that confidence in the decisive moment and so we couldn’t get on the board.”
Alexander Nouri: “We didn’t do enough in the first half. We were always a step behind, we didn’t challenge for the ball. The second half was much better but we needed to put more pressure on their defence for longer. The defeat hurts – I also feel sorry for the fans. They were our twelfth man today but we just couldn’t get the ball over the line. We wanted to give the fans a win to celebrate.”
Zlatko Junuzovic: “Gladbach dominated today, we just weren’t good enough. We made it really hard for ourselves after the first half. We wanted to attack and get forward. But Gladbach’s movement to close down and run into the spaces was very good. They deserve the win.”
Ludwig Augustinsson: “The first half was really poor. We gave the ball away too easily and gave them chances to score. Our performance was better in the second half but it still wasn’t good enough. It is really frustrating. But we can’t let our heads drop, even when we’re in a situation like this.”
Frank Baumann: “It is hard for all of us at the moment. A lot of what is going on for the boys is the mental side as much as anything so we will work a lot this week on the mental aspect of the game to be ready for next Sunday in Köln and to get the first three points of the season.”
Alexander Nouri: “We will critically analyse the game and work out a plan for next week. We need to get back up again and stand together, tell each other what we’re doing wrong but also look at the positive aspects. It is also a mental issue, because we haven’t won for such a long time. We will sit down and talk about it and work on self-confidence in training. We need to keep on believing in ourselves and our style of play and put our all in to get the win in Köln.”
Ludwig Augustinsson: “The pressure on us gets bigger the longer we go without a win. We need to continue to work hard as a team and get points on the board as quickly as possible. We want to start getting points in Köln. We believe in the quality in our squad.”
Izet Hajrovic: “It isn’t easy for us at the moment. We are trying everything but it isn’t coming off. We need to fight for each other and run until the very end – that has to be the focus for next week. And we have to do everything we can in Köln to come away with three points.”
Zlatko Junuzovic: “It is clear that the fans are annoyed. We are also annoyed and we want to get back to winning ways. We need to get that feeling of winning back because the pressure increases in every game that we don’t win.”
Frank Baumann: “That’s not even a question. We need to pull together and get out of the situation together. We have full belief in our way of playing and the coaching staff.”
Zlatko Junuzovic: “The problem isn’t with the coach or the coaching staff. We as players need to perform on the pitch but we’re just not doing that at the moment. We wanted to reduce the pressure today with a win.”
