FIRST TEAM
01/23/2016

Bayer 04 match reaction

We’ve rounded up all the reaction following TSG’s 1-1 home draw with Bayer 04 Leverkusen as the Bundesliga returned to action.

Huub Stevens: We struggled at the start of the match but scored the opener against the run of play. Mentally this released the released the mental block in our heads and our performance improved, especially at the start of the second half. We should’ve scored a second goal in that period of the game. Instead we conceded the equaliser and in the end we feared coming out the game empty handed. The result is disappointing, but our performance in this game was quite satisfactory. This is how we have to conduct ourselves in the relegation battle.

Roger Schmidt (Bayer manager): We would’ve liked a victory today and we had the chances get that towards the end of the game, when my team created several clear opportunities. We knew that this will be a difficult game, since Hoffenheim are much better than their position in the table (18th) suggests. Their tactics at the start of the game surprised us. We had control of the game, but constantly had to be aware of their long balls forward. After taking the lead Hoffenheim had several good spells, especially after the restart. But we managed to get control of the game again and had our chances to get more than a point today.

Alexander Rosen: This was a completely deserved draw. Three points would’ve been deserved 60 minutes into the game, but after the full 90 minutes a draw is the right result. We played very refreshing football after half-time, when we found solutions to our problems, combined well and created chances. Unfortunately we failed to put the game to bed. It would’ve been like a fairy tale if Jiloan Hamad had scored his second goal in this phase. Regardless, his performance was quite special today. He went through a very difficult time after his injury and I’m really happy for him that he is back. In the end we were able to rely on our keeper Oliver Baumann to secure us the point.

Jiloan Hamad: I’m satisfied and very happy that I was given the chance to play today. It’s been a long time since I last stood on the pitch but I feel fine. Obviously three points would have been better, but I think we can be satisfied with the result. Scoring the goal was a huge relief for me. I get the chance, take the ball first time and it’s in.

Sebastian Rudy: We played well after taking the lead and at the start of the second half and we should’ve scored a second goal. It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to do so. Victory wouldn’t have been a certainty, but we would have been a big step closer. Overall however I think that we showed a good fighting performance. We created chances and that’s what we need to keep doing. The draw isn’t completely satisfying, but we put on a solid performance and invested a lot in the end to deny Leverkusen all three points.

Match facts and statistics »

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