On Friday evening, the Green-Whites fought their way back into the game but it was too late in Hannover. Werder went to sleep in the first half as all the players agreed upon. Despite having a host of chances before the final whistle, SVW left the pitch empty-handed.
WERDER.DE collected the thoughts from the players and coach after the game.
Theodor Gebre Selassie: “We simply weren’t good enough in the first half. We didn’t win the second balls, we couldn’t hold the ball up in attack and had issues defensively. After the break, we were much better but it wasn’t enough to turn it around. By full time, we had enough chances to win the game yet we deserved to lose. It was more us playing badly than Hannover playing well. The loss is totally down to ourselves.”
Zlatko Junuzovic: “We weren’t performing at the levels we’ve set for ourselves lately and woke up too late. We gave Hannover too much space and we were chasing shadows to start with. When it’s not going well for us on the pitch, we have to dig deep and fight our way back into the game. We don’t have to play out of our skin every game. After getting one back, we gave everything to turn it around but it wasn’t enough.”
Florian Kohfeldt: “We weren’t at the races today from the off. When you don’t get off to a good start, you have to be solid and work hard but we didn’t play with sufficient intelligence. Without the ball, we weren’t lethal enough and were too indecisive at key moments. We didn’t play to our potential.”
Sebastian Langkamp: “In second half, we deserved to get an equaliser or even a winner but Hannover were effective in the first half. They took their chances. My chance at the end summed it up. It just wasn’t our day.”
Maxmilian Eggestein: “We can’t let ourselves go into the break 2-0 down. Hannover had two chances and scored two goals. In the second half, our performance was what it should have been from the start. We were much better but it was too little too late.”
Max Kruse: “We didn’t show what we’re capable of like we have done in recent weeks. We were slow to react too often and didn’t use the space fully. We invited Hannover onto us. We can’t let that happen. We went to sleep in the first half and it’s tough to come back from that. We have to create our own goalscoring opportunities but, after a performance like ours in the first half, you can’t complain when you lose.”
Milos Veljkovic: “We have to be wary. The teams below us are picking up points. However, if we play like we know we can, I’m not too worried.”
Zlatko Junuzovic: “Today’s defeat was a low but we have to keep looking forwards and play like we have done in recent weeks.”
Florian Kohfeldt: “Tomorrow, we could only be seven points off the relegation zone. We have to keep fighting on.”
Max Kruse: “Sure, today was a setback but we have to carry on and improve next week. The manner is which we played today wasn’t good enough for the Bundesliga. In the future, that won’t happen.”
Frank Baumann: “All in all, we didn’t do enough today. It was one of our worst performances on the pitch. However, that can happen when you’re fighting relegation and we won’t let it shake us. What’s important is that we learn from our mistakes that we made. We’re not safe yet. We have a long week ahead to prepare for RB Leipzig.”
Milos Veljkovic: “Niklas and Ludde are key players but we’ve shown that we can deal with these setbacks. TToday, the whole team wasn’t good enough in the first half. We can’t blame that on individual players.”
Zlatko Junuzovic: “Both the lads who came in did well. There wasn’t much they could do for the goals.”
Frank Baumann: “The loss wasn’t down to the rotation in defence.”
Zlatko Junuzovic: “I could only start training yesterday due to back problems. I spoke to the coach and we agreed that I’d come on from the bench. Everyone knows I’ll give 100% no matter what role I play. As a captain, I have duties on and off the pitch.”
Florian Kohfeldt: “It was a risk to bring him on a half time as he wasn’t fully fit. When he came on though, he did very well, created space and caused problems for the opposition.”
