FIRST TEAM
05/12/2018

Season finale reaction: "Third place is historic"

Here's what the players and the two coaches said after TSG's win over Borussia Dortmund on the final matchday, which secured Champions League football for Hoffenheim.

Julian Nagelsmann: "This season has been very complicated for us. To finish like this, particularly after the setback against Stuttgart, is incredible. I am very proud of my team and the club, who make this good work possible. Today, it was important to score first. It did become tight, and Leverkusen were leading by a lot, but to be in the Champions League and to have qualified for Europe for a second consecutive season is an absolutely historic performance from a club of our size."

Dietmar Hopp: "Qualifying for the Champions League is Hoffenheim's fifth miracle. I am unbelievably proud of this small, but ever-growing club and today's success. We've finished third in the Bundesliga, which is almost unbelievable. When we were in ninth place, we were lacking that bit of luck. But Julian Nagelsmann found the formula to get everything out of the players."

Peter Stöger (BVB's coach): "Congratulations to TSG. I'm looking forward to Julian's picture with the crown. TSG have played a fantastic season. Today's game was a reflection of the last few weeks and months at BVB. We weren't clear with our play going forward and didn't take advantage of our chances. We allowed our opponents to get into the game. In the end, we achieved our goal and qualified for the Champions League - that is very important for our club."

Mark Uth: "I am very, very, very happy that we brought it home today. The Champions League group phase is absolutely historic for this club. I again gave my all today and I'm happy that I was able to say goodbye to the club and the fans with this win. I had three great years here which I'll never forget. Many people here have a place in my heart and I look forward to coming back. I got goose bumps when the fans cheered my name when I was subbed off. I always gave my all for TSG and I'm very thankful to the fans for that reaction."

Kevin Akpoguma: "We've finished third, beat Dortmund and have qualified for the Champions League. It's crazy. A few months ago, I don't think many people would have thought we'd do it and I don't know whether we ourselves believed it was possible. We approached the game fantastically today and delivered. We gave our all and were patient at the same time."

 

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