Match reaction after #TSGS04 - "We're very pleased"

Julian Nagelsmann: We played well in the first 20 minutes because we knew how we wanted to counter their 3-4-3 system. We worked our way into good positions but our play was often too direct. We took our foot off the pedal after the goal and Schalke pressed very high and won all the second balls. We stood too deep at the beginning of the second half and Konoplyanka had a couple of good chances. He and Harit caused a lot of problems for us. We could’ve scored on the counter and we ran five kilometres more than Schalke. I’m very happy with the team’s mentality. It was a deserved win.

Domenico Tedesco: Well done to Hoffenheim. We played well, especially after going behind. We had a lot of possession and were fluid in our play, getting into the areas we wanted to be in. We had a lot of chances and I liked the energy we showed in the final third. Unfortunately our finishing was poor today and we need to work on that. Hoffenheim were ice cool in front of goal.

Lukas Rupp: I scored against Schalke last season. Today wasn’t our best game but we had the determination and the will to see it through. We could’ve scored more going forward but we’re so strong at the back that a couple of goals are often enough. Dennis Geiger is a down-to-earth kind of guy. It was a great goal.

Oliver Baumann: We were lucky with Schalke’s shot off the bar. We threw everything into the game and showed that we have a very strong mentality. I’m very happy with the win. We wanted to get it down and play more – it wasn’t as fluid as it could’ve been. Dennis Geiger has come a long way in the past years and he’s incredibly mature for his age.

Kevin Vogt: We didn’t play our best football today but it was a mature performance, a really physical display. Defensively, we were strong. I’m pleased with the win.

Pavel Kaderabek: We weren’t necessarily the better team today but we came out winners. The first half was good, the second not as much. Schalke applied a lot of pressure. Two wins in one week, that’s nothing to scoff at. 

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