A 3-2 loss to Leipzig. A red card. A spectacular final phase. Lots to process. The reactions to the match from Edin Terzic, Mats Hummels, Niklas Süle, Gregor Kobel, Julian Brandt, Thomas Meunier and Salih Özcan.
Edin Terzic (to Sky): “We were the better team up until the red card. We were also the better team in the second period, even though we played for a long time during the week and despite the red card and the many absences that we have. It is a really tough test right now. But you could see that the team was very energetic, believed until the end and tried to fight against all the odds. We did a lot of good things. If that is the benchmark, I’m sure we’ll pick up successful results again soon. We not only showed today how good and clear we can be in possession, but also how much we can invest to fight against all the odds. That will be required of us again.”
Mats Hummels (via social networks): “A big compliment to the fans and the team for their spirit today. The defeat is down to me, I should never go down into a slide tackle there and leave the lads with one man fewer on the pitch for 80 minutes.”
Niklas Süle (to BVB TV): “We fought, which you have to do when you’re a man down. We had problems in the first 15 minutes after the red card, then got into the game better and started the second half well. Then we conceded the goal for 2-1, which was poorly defended – by me too. The way we fought back in the final 10 minutes… When I had my chance at the end, I thought it was going to go in – and I’d be going home with two goals and an important point, which it would have been.”
Gregor Kobel (in the mixed zone): “We had to play an extremely high-risk game because we were missing a man; either up front – you can’t apply any pressure on the ball in that case – or defensively at the back. We played bravely, took risks, and you have to factor in the counter-attacks. It would have been very difficult for him (Openda, prior to the red card) to score a goal. I have a lot of confidence in myself. I’m very good at one-on-ones. Mats had to make a split-second decision. That can happen. That’s part and parcel of football.”
Julian Brandt (to Sky): “We gave it everything and embraced the task as it was in the end. It’s of course extremely bitter that we lost a very important player at the beginning. We were well in the game and found the spaces. We were then knocked off our stride. We at least showed the fans at the end that we will give it everything until the end; you can give the team credit for that today. We now need to win matches and pick up points.”
Thomas Meunier (to BVB TV): “My last start was over a year ago. I was very happy to be on the pitch. It was very important for me. I think I performed well. I’m satisfied on a personal level. But it’s a defeat. And that’s what counts. It could have been 3-3 in the end. We gave everything we had. The mentality was good. And the way the fans supported us was great.”
Salih Özcan (to Sky): “We did well for long spells despite the sending-off and created chances. It was a great battle, we embraced the fight and got the fans on board. However, it doesn’t bring us anything in the end.”