Reactions: “We had to work hard” | OneFootball

Sebastian Kehl (on Sky): “We played well in the first 30 minutes. We controlled the game very well, didn’t allow them anything, and then let Gladbach back into the game with some sloppy mistakes. In the second half, we should have made it 2-0 much earlier. But despite that, we kept another clean sheet. Gladbach didn’t have that many chances either. In the end, we’re satisfied and are finishing the year with a successful result. We want to take the next step; we have to continue to develop. Overall, we’ve become much more stable. We’ve lost only one Bundesliga game so far this season. Of course, we can play even better football, we can continue to develop, but we’ve taken a huge step forward. We need a little time for some things. We’re not satisfied with one or two things, but it’s not as bad as it’s been made out to be recently.”

Niko Kovac (on Sky): “I’m very happy that we won. At the end of the day, it was deserved. We only allowed Gladbach one dangerous chance and missed one or two really good chances ourselves. We started well, but then didn’t do so well in the last 15 minutes of the first half. Gladbach came back a bit then. In the second half, it was an open game. We have to continue to work hard, stay focused, work together with the ball, but also against the ball. Then this team definitely have what it takes to finish in the top four.”

Julian Brandt (to bundesliga.de): “It feels good to score in the 90th minute again and not concede the equaliser somehow. I think Gladbach lost sight of me a bit (when he scored the 1-0, ed.). That gave me a lot of space and I hit it well. I was also pleased that Niki picked me out. It was important to win this game after so many draws. We’ve celebrated many Christmases without a win under our belts, so this feels extremely good. It’s been a long year. This is a good, solid end to it.”

Felix Nmecha (on Sky): “We wanted to kill the game off earlier, we had the chances, but in the end we’re happy to have won 2-0. We had to win this game, the last one before the winter break. I’m happy and now I want to celebrate with the team.”

Emre Can (on Sky): “It was a hard-fought victory. We had to work hard. But overall, I think we deserved to keep the three points at home here today. We have to seal the deal earlier. We have to kill off games like this earlier. We’re very happy, and it was a great game. Niklas is still a top, top player (referring to Süle, ed.). He was involved in both goals. For the first, he crossed the ball, and for the second, he won the ball and played it out wide. And defensively, he was always there when danger arose. I’m extremely happy for him.”Transcribed by Boris Rupert