Reactions: 'We fought to see the game through, with commitment and passion'

Yahoo

7 hours ago

Niko Kovac (at the press conference): 'That was our best half at this tournament. I was very satisfied with the first period. We were sharp, we defended on the front foot and we put the opposition under stress. In addition to the two goals, we created two more huge opportunities for Serhou (editor's note: Guirassy) from which we could have scored another one or perhaps even two. Then we would have taken in a very comfortable lead at half-time. What was then important in the second-half was that we fought to see the game through, with commitment and with passion. The opposition had possession of the ball but no great chances. We had a few problems with balls in behind the defence. But okay. The main thing is that we won. We're now in the last eight, and that's more than we could've imagined. For us and for German football, it is a big thing that there are two clubs in the quarter-finals. Real Madrid are a great team with many good individual players. We're seeing the football from them that Xavi played in Leverkusen: very vertical and very quick. We're looking forward to the clash but we know we're outsiders. But in football, you have to play 90 minutes first. And if we put in the performance we did today, especially in the first period, we think we have a chance.'
Serhou Guirassy (to DAZN): 'I think we had a very good first half. The second was slightly more difficult but we were mentally strong and won. We're therefore all happy this evening. I think I could have scored at least three goals. But I'm satisfied. The most important thing is winning the match. I'm expecting a very tough game against Real Madrid. We're prepared.'
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Gregor Kobel (to BVB TV): 'It was a very good game from us in the first period. In the second half, it's sometimes normal for there to be a change of momentum because the opposition have nothing left to lose. We conceded a goal early on but then kept going brilliantly until the end. We didn't give much away – perhaps occasionally but I was then on hand. But I think that overall, it was a good performance from us. Now we have an amazing game against an outstanding opponent, who will definitely demand a lot from us. We'll have to hold our own, step on the gas and fight – and then we'll see.'
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Niklas Süle (to BVB TV): 'The stadium, the pitch, the time and everything that went along with it was more the kind of thing that we're used to. It was not as boiling hot as in the first three matches. I think that for the most part, we played our best game of the tournament. We were well prepared. In the second half, we no longer applied pressure on the ball and didn't get out so well at the back. We had a bit of luck in one or two situations at that point. But we held our own well. Not everything is easy in a tournament. It is a great achievement to reach the last eight, especially when you also consider which teams have already been eliminated.'
Transcribed by Boris Rupert