Reaction to Mainz loss

Niklas Moisander: “This one hurts. We had to win today. We didn’t manage to score and then conceded an unlucky goal at the other end. The performance was there and we played with a lot of aggression. We showed today that we will fight until the end and we will continue to do that in future games.”

Theodor Gebre Selassie: “I think we were the better team overall. We were committed in the duels and if the goal before half time had counted, we would have been back in the game. But in the relegation battle sometimes things go against you. You have to accept that. We just have problems scoring goals.”

Frank Baumann: “We knew it was going to be a hard-fought game and we met it head on. Then we gifted them a goal and our equaliser didn’t end up counting. Despite that setback, we didn’t give up and had control of the game. We’re extremely disappointed.”

Florian Kohfeldt: “It was an intense game with very little rhythm. There was a lot at stake for both teams and you could see that. In the end, both teams score, but our goal is disallowed. I think a draw would have been deserved, so I’m very disappointed overall.”
 

Theodor Gebre Selassie: “Tonight’s result is very bitter. We lost against a direct rival today and that’s put us in a situation we didn’t want to be in. We’re now involved in a battle against relegation again and that’s something we have to accept.”

Niklas Moisander: “This makes Saturday’s game against Union Berlin even more important, that’s for sure. We’re now in a battle to stay up. But we made it last year and we’ll make it this year too.”

Frank Baumann: “We’re confident but we know it’ll be very, very difficult. We absolutely have to pick up points now. We’ve not won in a while now and we’re slipping down the league. Now it’s a case of the players recovering and giving it their all on Saturday. We definitely have the quality to stay in the league. Full focus is now on these last few games.”

Florian Kohfeldt: “We have to pick up points. We haven’t won in six games and we haven’t scored the goals we need. It’s up to us and we need to keep our performance stable, but we know it’ll be tough.”
 

Theodor Gebre Selassie: "I remember a situation in Colone, where our goalkeeper was fouled. Today was just too much. For me it was a goal. But I don’t want to talk too much about VAR. We had a enough chances after that to score. We didn’t manage it. That has been a trend in recent games. We have missed a big opportunity today."

Frank Baumann: "It was hard to see live, but on the TV I can’t see any foul. I cannot understand how the referee has taken the goal away. In my opinion, it’s not a clear and obvious error, so I don’t understand the point of VAR either."

Florian Kohfeldt: "The ball is free, I can’t see any foul. So, for me it’s not a clear and obvious mistake. If I think back to Cologne, the goal was given despite the foul. Today our goal as ruled out. But I don‘t want to play the blame game here."