#TSGVfB reaction: "Pavel's efforts were outstanding"

Julian Nagelsmann: "We didn’t start well, that was mostly down to VfB who pressed us well in the opening stages. That’s why we changed our formation early on, which then gave us more stability and control. Unfortunately we weren’t able to take our chances in the first half. After the break, we were able to put them under more pressure and keep them out at the same time, but we weren’t getting the big chances. Pavel fought hard to create our goal, it could even have been a foul. We deserved the win after that second half performance and I’m very pleased we got the three points. Thankfully we were able to somehow get the ball over the line in the end."

Hannes Wolf: "Congratulations to Julian and TSG. We started very well but missed a big opportunity early on through Berkay Özcan, then two of our players had to come off injured very soon. We lost our bite after that and stopped pressing. As a result, Hoffenheim were the better team in the last 20 minutes of the first half, and had two good chances to go in front. After the break, we played more defensively. We were compact and won most of our challenges; our defenders had a great game, but we failed to create anything going forward. We could have headed clear the cross that led to the goal, but we didn’t. It’s a bitter defeat, because we gave so much. We did too little up front, that’s why TSG won the game."

Mark Uth: "The lads were having a laugh at my expense about my attempted slide tackle in stoppage time at first, but obviously we are all happy about the win. I don’t know why I always score so late, I just lurk and often get the chance to turn the ball in. I also can’t explain why we’re doing so well at home but not away, we need to start winning on the road again. We have the chance to do this on Saturday."

Kevin Vogt: "It was a tough task today and we worked hard. We deserved that goal. We gave away very little at the back as well. I wasn’t sure why we were ruled offside at the end at first, but after a quick word with Ms. Steinhaus I understood; the keeper was already out of the equation wasn’t he."

Oliver Baumann: "VfB were compact at the back, but we played very well against them. We may not have had so many more big chances than our opponents, but we took one. Pavel’s efforts to create that goal were outstanding. That summed up our performance."
Dennis Geiger: "It was a physical game and our goal was perhaps a little lucky, but the win was deserved. We want to give everything one last time in Dortmund, pick up three points going into the winter break."

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