Not decisive enough in the final third

Reaction to the Hoffenheim game

Florian Kohfeldt was unhappy with his team's performance in the final third. (photo: nordphoto).
First Team
Sunday, 26.01.2020 / 19:22

The boost everyone was hoping for after the Düsseldorf game didn't materialise and Werder went a seventh consecutive home game without a win, losing 3-0 to TSG Hoffenheim. The team were in control for much of the game but weren't clinical enough in the final third. They then conceded three soft goals. "They're the kind of goals you seem to concede when you're in the position that we're in," said head coach Florian Kohfeldt after the game. The spectators in the WESERSTADION witnessed an even game for the majority of the 90 minutes; Werder were even "just about on top" according to Kohfeldt, until Klaassen's unlucky own goal and Christoph Baumgartner's strike put the game in the visitor's favour. 

On the match:

Milot Rashica: “We started well and created a few chances. They scored two goals in quick succession and then suddenly the game was gone.”

Maximilian Eggestein: “It’s tough. All three goals could’ve been avoided. We created a few chances of our own then conceded in a ridiculous manner. I have no words.”

Plenty of crosses were sent into the Hoffenheim penalty area, but none resulted in a goal. (photo: nordphoto).

Leonardo Bittencourt: "The bottom line is we lost. Hoffenheim are not our direct rivals, so it's not the worst game to lose. We didn't manage to unsettle them. They didn't do a lot for their three goals. We could have got something today."

Kevin Vogt: "We were on top until we went behind. We defended high up the pitch and pressed well but couldn't make it count. We had a couple of good chances and good body language. We were at fault for the two other goals."

Florian Kohfeldt: "After they opened the scoring, they deserved to win. Before then, it was a pretty even game and we were just about the better side. Our decision-making in the final third was our undoing. We made a few poor choices and tried to shoot when we should have passed."

Frank Baumann: "We were at least as good as they were. But, in our position, all that counts is the result. We were missing the final pass, so we didn't give ourselves enough chances. In the end, conceding goals like that is just typical."

On the goals conceded:

Leonardo Bittencourt: “There were two really soft goals. That tends to happens when you’re under pressure.” 

Maximilian Eggestein: “It was another set piece; we can’t ignore that. But it was really unlucky. We can’t keep out every single set piece, but we need to improve.”

Kevin Vogt: “We have to deal with situations better, and be stronger in the tackle. It’s frustrating because we brought it on ourselves.”

Florian Kohfeldt: “Those are the types of goals you concede when you’re where we are in the table. However, we shouldn’t have let the last goal in.”

On the coming weeks:

Milot Rashica: “We want to do everything we can to win the next few games. We have the quality to do so.”

 

Next up: Augsburg. (photo: nordphoto).

Maximilian Eggestein: “We can’t let our heads drop. We need to get straight back to work.”

Leonardo Bittencourt: “Augsburg are one of our direct competitors so we need to win. We need to pull our socks up and go again. We need to get together and fight as a team. I can promise the fans that we will do everything we can to start winning games again.”

Kevin Vogt: “I’m just as optimistic as I was before the game. The result was unlucky today. We earned a deserved victory last week and were the better team up until the first goal today. That’s why I’m staying positive.”

Florian Kohfeldt: “We need to improve our football. We knew there would be setbacks. As tough as the situation is, we need to keep our heads. With the correct mentality, we will be able to survive.”

Frank Baumann: “Today is about dealing with another setback. We knew that it wouldn’t be easy. We need to give everything we have next week to get the three points.”

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