“We lacked energy” | OneFootball

Board member for sport Markus Krösche, head coach Albert Riera and goalscorer Can Uzun give their thoughts on the 2-1 defeat against Hamburger SV.

Board member for sport Markus Krösche: “I’m very frustrated by the way we played football. We played far too slowly in the first half and, apart from one or two chances, we weren’t incisive enough. We took the lead after the interval but then conceded the equaliser straight away, and then let in the second goal soon after that. It was all far too easy. To be quite honest, if we’re making mistakes like these and performing in this manner, then we can forget about competing for Europe. Nobody is playing at their best, be it individually or as a team, and that’s something that’s been happening all season. The lack of energy in our game is one of the most important reasons why we’re unable to produce the performances we want. That has to be the foundation, but we’re not managing it. That’s a must for our next two games. We definitely won’t just give up on the season.” 

Head coach Albert Riera: “We’re very disappointed. We lacked energy in the first half. We need to play more quickly and with rhythm. After going 1-0 up, we conceded two goals and everything just unravelled. Our energy dropped again, we weren’t efficient and our performance overall wasn’t good enough. We have to improve that, we have to play better. It’s a tough evening for us and for the fans. Starting tomorrow, we need to look forward. I need to give the team love, options and solutions again. We need the fans; I can completely understand their reaction. But we stand together. We’re stronger together as we fight for the remaining six points.”

Can Uzun: “I can completely understand the fans. They come to the stadium and want to see a great game in great weather. But then they get a performance like that from us. It’s not good enough. We have to do more. We players aren’t performing at the level we can. That’s why we’re not winning.”