Grifo: "We put in a very good performance"

Joelinton: "We prepared very well and then we implemented everything that the coach asked of us. We controlled the game very well in possession and ultimately we deserved to win. I was absolutely delighted and very happy with my two goals. It's nice to be able to help your team. We simply have a good team and a good coach. I've learnt even more here. We have another important match on Wednesday against Lyon, where we have high hopes."

Reiss Nelson: "As a team, we made a very good start to the game. It was important for us that I scored the goal to put us into the lead. For the goal, I saw that the goalkeeper was standing slightly off his line. It was great to see the ball bend in like that. I scored a similar goal against Scotland (editor's note: for the England U21s). You work towards such moments in every training session. I'm delighted to be getting minutes at Hoffenheim, that things are going so well and that I can help the team."

Oliver Baumann: "We obviously know how dangerous Leverkusen are. They're incredibly dangerous in front of goal, they pose a big threat on the counter. That's why we did really well. We gave it everything today and scored beautiful goals. Reiss Nelson scored the goal of the month or even the goal of the year. The lad has so much talent. He's helping us so much at 18 years of age. But the entire squad was good today. We need to show exactly the same passion in Lyon on Wednesday as we did today."  

Vincenzo Grifo: "It was a relief and fun to be back in the starting line-up again. We were very aggressive today. Especially in our attacking ranks. It's clear that you can't defend everything against Leverkusen. We put in a very good performance. I asked Joelinton before the penalty if I could take the kick, because I was fairly confident. We had more space after going 3-1 ahead. We're delighted with the victory and we're now completely on track."

Julian Nagelsmann: "We witnessed an extraordinarily good football match. It was an advertisement for the Bundesliga. After the break it was clear that Leverkusen applied slightly more pressure and that's why we defended more deeply. Oliver Baumann had a very good second half. We defended with passion. The margin of victory was too high, but I'm happy that we'll be taking home the three points."

Heiko Herrlich (Bayer Leverkusen coach): "Congratulations to Hoffenheim on their victory. We're obviously dissatisfied. Our objective was to overtake Hoffenheim in the table. We knew about their strengths and how they play with lots of crosses − from which they've scored the most goals in the league. It was annoying that we didn't go ahead through Lars Bender but then fell behind following a corner. It was a spectacular goal but it shouldn't be allowed to happen. The penalty to go 3-1 up was the killer. We then had the chance to pull it back to 3-2 but the goal wouldn't go in."

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