The final whistle blows, and the dust settles on the previous ninety minutes. But the press soon wants to get the opinions from the Bundesliga trainers whether they have won, lost, or drawn. Here’s what they had to say following matchday 28.
Schalke 5-2 Hertha Berlin
Thomas Reis: “We started well in both halves. Tim Skarke’s goal really came out of nowhere. He’s shown in training that he has a strong shot. We then went through a phase where Ralf Fährmann made some good saves. Kenan Karaman put us back on course for victory.
“We all knew how important this game was, and the pressure that brought. That’s why we want to make sure we had as much experience on the pitch as possible in order to share this pressure. We’re happy to have kept all three points at home.”
Sandro Schwarz: “The goals we conceded came from our own weaknesses when contesting challenges. There were a couple moments in the game where we were on the verge of making something happen. Just after the break, we had an opportunity to attack but instead conceded to make it 3-1. Overall, we defended poorly and deservedly lost.”
Bayern Munich 1-1 Hoffenheim
Thomas Tuchel: “It was a long way from what we had in mind or needed. It’s difficult to digest. We played with very little energy and pace overall and had very little conviction, a lot of uncertainty. There were so many simple mistakes, yet we had enough chances to win the game.
“It’s not what we wanted. I really expected a different performance. The preparations were good, but we weren’t able to deliver on the pitch.”
Pellegrino Matarazzo: “We allowed ourselves to be pushed back in the early stages, and weren’t brave enough when we had the ball. Then we deservedly fell behind from a corner. We were more courageous after the break and deserved to equalise.”
VfB Stuttgart 3-3 Borussia Dortmund
Sebastian Hoeneß: “It looked hopeless for a short time after the sending off, but it was important that we remained clear and in our shape. We also defended smarter in the end. After Tanguy’s goal to make it 2-1, if not before, a momentum developed. To concede again after equalising was brutal.
“It says a huge amount about the team that they then came back again. The atmosphere with our fans was equally incredible.”
Edin Terzic: “I’m having a hard time finding the right words, I’m finding it extremely difficult to express what I’m feeling, there’s far too much anger and disappointment to give a straight factual answer. There are reasons why we haven’t managed to get to the top in ten years.
“Still, there’s still so much to fight for. We still have six games left. But it’s important to finally start learning from these unnecessary setbacks. No one will do that for us.”
Köln 1-1 Mainz
Steffen Baumgart: “I saw a good game from both teams. Mainz did really well in the first 20 minutes. Then we got into the game better. In the end we take the point, but of course I’m only partially satisfied with that.”
Bo Svensson: “After the first 20 minutes we had a long phase in which we simply didn’t play football. We found it difficult because the opponent did it very well. That’s a lucky point for us, but we’ll gladly take that with us.”
RB Leipzig 3-2 Augsburg
Marco Rose: “We’re really happy about the important three points. I think we reacted well to falling behind. We then played very well and scored three nice goals.
“We came out of the break and did really well for the first ten minutes. Then we had a phase that we need to talk about. We didn’t close the game and invited the opponent in because we no longer had control.
“From the back it was a mega open game again. We need to get better in the coming weeks to reach our goals.”
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Oliver Glasner: “The result doesn’t match the performance. We were excellent in the second half and I have to congratulate my team for their will power. They didn’t give up and kept pushing for the equaliser. They deserve a lot of respect for that, and they’ve got incredible character. If we keep playing like that then the wins will start coming once again. It was an encouraging performance.”
Daniel Farke: “It was a high intensity Bundesliga match. We played well in the first half and were effective. We failed to keep hold of possession well at the start of the second period though and didn’t see through our counterattacks cleanly. Eintracht were able to build up a head of steam after that and we had to suffer a lot.
“We defended resiliently, but Frankfurt continued to create danger with lots of crosses. We had a very good goalkeeper again today. It’s obviously disappointing to concede a late equaliser, but with the pressure they put us under, you can’t say it wasn’t deserved.
Werder Bremen 1-2 Freiburg
Ole Werner: “I’m disappointed because we played well overall against a top side. We linked up as a team very well, but we didn’t carry this into the final third, especially in the first half. We didn’t create enough scoring chances. It is very annoying that we lost the game in two moments. For us, it’s now a matter of improving these individual issues.”
Christian Streich: “In the end we were the happier. Of course it could also have been a draw. Bremen could have made it 2-0, but after going behind- to win in Bremen, hats off! Not everyone does that”
Union Berlin 1-1 VfL Bochum
Urs Fischer: “We’re also keeping our fingers crossed that you stay in the league. My conclusion is a little different. Our first half was very good, we were well in the game. We went up against Bochum, pressed them and won the ball over and over again. From my point of view, the lead at the break was absolutely deserved, the free-kick goal was great.
“In the first 10-15 minutes after the break, we begged for the equaliser. The yellow card was a wake-up call for us. After that, I think we can win. Kevin Behrens’ two chances were huge. In the end, we have to live with the point. Maybe the point will help us in the end.”
Thomas Letsch: “I think Union were a tad better in the first half. We played badly, especially in possession. A lot of it was okay, but okay is not enough if you want to win here. Their impressive free-kick came at the worst possible time just before the break. In the second half we showed a very good reaction. We were much more courageous, tactically more variable and had a different game structure. We rewarded ourselves with the goal.
After the yellow card, it is difficult to judge the game. I’m satisfied that we came away with a point. I think we had opportunities to win the game as well. But when I think about Behrens’ header and the close offside goal, we’re happy to take the point. The point can be very important for us in the end. It’s great to play here and it was fun. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Union will play in the Champions League next year.
VfL Wolfsburg 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Niko Kovac: “It was a tight game with good defences. All in all we’re happy with the point because we were able to stand up to a really good opponent.”
Xabi Alonso: “The draw is fair. We had a few chances, but we also got two counterattacks. If you can’t win, you mustn’t lose.”
