FIRST TEAM
09/19/2018

Nagelsmann: "It was a spirited game"

TSG Hoffenheim have earnt their first point in the group phase of the UEFA Champions League after a 2-2 (1-2) draw against Shakhtar Donetsk. Here is what the coach and players had to say after the game.

Julian Nagelsmann:

"There was a lot of back and forth and we played particularly well in the first half. We could've managed a second and third goal, we had some good counters and some clear chances. In the first fifteen minutes of the second half, we put on a lot of pressure that we needed to capitalise on. In the end, we lacked the legs, due to the amount of energy we had already used. We defended well and we knowingly sat deep in order to bring them to us, so we could counter. The result is fair, due to the final quarter of an hour. It was a very spirited and proper game and I'm happy with our performance. We'd have liked to have celebrated a victory in the Champions League, but I'm sure we'll get one soon if we continue to play like this."

Kevin Vogt:

"I'm leaving the stadium feeling positive. A draw is a fair result. They're a very strong opponent. Donetsk have a really great squad. We made sure that we didn't have too much respect for them. That worked well for us. We played a really good game. We have continued to improve over the last two years and we want to show that we can represent Germany well. It's nice that this will continue soon. We need to recover quickly and we're excited to play against Borussia Dortmund."

Nico Schulz:

"In the moments before it went to 2-2, Donetsk put us under a lot of pressure. It was plain to see that we needed to better take advantage of our chances at this level, especially against such an experienced team. We had waited for this game for a while and we were very excited. When you're in the lead for that long, you also want to go and win it, which is why I'm not that thrilled right now."

Florian Grillitsch:

"Before my goal, everything went very quickly. I played the ball into the middle, Leo Bittencourt sent me through and without much thought, I chipped the ball because the keeper went down too early. Luckily there was enough on it to make it to the goal, but not enough for a win. You mustn't forget that Donetsk are tough to play against. We wanted to make the spaces tight in the middle and to create chances on the counter. That seemed to work well, especially in the first half. Towards the end, we ran out of steam and we can't complain about the end result, although I am a little bit sad that it wasn't enough to get the three points. However, I do think that we went onto the pitch very focused, carried out our plan and implemented it well. The Champions League is a different atmosphere but each and every one of us did well."

Havard Nordtveit:

"Sure, now you can ask yourself why we only took one point and not three. But, we played well and Donetsk pressed a lot at the end. Those 5 minutes after the 2-2 equaliser were tough. But to take a point in our first away game, against an opponent such as that, is a good outcome. This is a dream for us, to be part of the Champions League, which is what we said before the game. We want to be successful but also enjoy it all. With the point from this evening, we'll all sleep well tonight. That is also important because at the weekend we'll be playing against a very strong team. The goal to make it 2-1 was my first goal for Hoffenheim and I hope to add more to it. It felt good."

Kerem Demirbay: 

"We could've taken the three points. I'm happy to be back in amongst it all. It did me good, to play those 30 minutes. Everything else will come with time."

Alexander Rosen: 

"Our team put in a very good performance, with a solid first half before having to deal with a lot of pressure towards the end. The bottom line is that we earnt a deserved point. You wouldn't have noticed that this was our first time in the competition. Many clubs have found it hard here and we managed almost 20 shots on goal with some great phases of play. We belong here."

Paulo Fonseca (Manager of Shakhtar Donetsk):

"The game today was proof that TSG Hoffenheim is a strong team. We made a few mistakes. Hoffenheim created quite a few dangerous counter-attacks."

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