Oliver Baumann: “We conceded the goals too easily, we unfortunately couldn’t defend everything. You cannot concede three goals, although Andrej was fouled before the last conceded goal. But we should’ve still been able to defend the situation after that, there were enough people around. We therefore lost here, which is extremely bitter. We fought back very well after going 2-0 down, were close to turning the game around and had built up lots of pressure. Defending will always be a topic, but it’s important to take the right steps. Our next opponents Heidenheim are good, but we want to win at home.”
Andrej Kramarić: “We must not lose this game. We were the better team, especially in the second half. I had the feeling that we would win the match. Because we also had one more player on the pitch. I was clearly fouled prior to the goal for 3-2. My opponent put his hand on my body only and if I fell dramatically, I probably wouldn’t get a free-kick. I don’t understand why the video assistant referee did not intervene. That makes me angry. If we had won today, we would’ve been two points ahead of Freiburg; now it’s four points behind.”
Wout Weghorst: “It’s unbelievable that we come away as the losing side. The first half clearly wasn’t good, we were far too passive. We were much more courageous in the second half but then gave away the goal for 2-0. That cannot happen. Nonetheless, we came back well and were the much better team. The fact we still lost with a player extra must never happen. We had one player more, there should never have been such a challenge in the build-up play. We needed to play it more quickly.”
Pellegrino Matarazzo: “We’re definitely not happy about the match. We wanted to control the game defensively and give little away in the first half, but were too passive and allowed ourselves to be pinned back. It was too faint-hearted. It was considerably better in the second half. The two goals conceded in the second half are very bitter. We should still be able to defend even after the loss of possession, for both goals. For me, the contact prior to the goal for 3-2 is definitely a foul. We were on the counter and Freiburg had an opportunity to counter instead. He clearly puts an arm on the body. That’s incomprehensible for me. But we also need to do better. It was not satisfactory.”
Christian Streich (SC Freiburg coach): “We considered whether to start with a back four or a back three. Hoffenheim are very good in footballing terms, it was very difficult. We took risks. We did that well. After the goal for 2-0, you could see Hoffenheim’s quality. We had the luck on our side for the goal that made it 3-2. But I don’t think it was a red card for Manuel Gulde either. Those were two important decisions. One for us and one against us.”