"Winning is a wonderful feeling"

Clemens Fritz captained the side to derby success (photo: nph).
First Team
Sunday, 19.04.2015 / 21:47

A late winner, jumping up the table and a 500th home Bundesliga victory. Today's 1-0 victory over Hamburger SV was pretty special.

What a day: A late winner, jumping up the table and a 500th home Bundesliga victory. Today's 1-0 victory over Hamburger SV was pretty special. The mood in the mixed zone after the match was full of positivity. Matchwinner Franco Di Santo hadn't scored for four games but confidently fired home from the spot today. After the match WERDER.DE spoke to the key figures.

On the game:

It was a fiery match (photo: nph).

Viktor Skripnik: "It wasn't a pretty game but we got the three points and kept a clean sheet. Ahead of the game we were under pressure but that's typical of a derby. We had to work hard to grab the points today, it was tough."

Thomas Eichin: "It was a tricky game. The team showed a good reaction to last weekend's game. There wasn't much attractive football on show but we won the game. Everyone had their eyes on the ball and were well instructed by the coaching staff. We took responsibility for ourselves and weren't careless, like we were in Stuttgart. Our hard work was rewarded and I'd like to compliment everyone involved in the victory."

Sebastian Prödl: "Both teams were under pressure to win today's game. We knew that Hamburg needed a good result and we did all we could to keep them quiet whilst also making sure that we had chances too. We had to wait for our chance but when it came, we took it. Everything went according to plan."

Clemens Fritz: "Today's game reminded me of the one before Christmas, except this time the boot was on the other foot. At their place we were the ones who sat back towards the end but today we were pressing for victory. The head coach didn't have to say much today, we all wanted to win. Everyone has been waiting for victory in the derby. It's wonderful to have won the game."

Koen Casteels: "It wasn't a great game, there weren't many chances. Neither side created too much. Once it hit the 80 minute mark I thought the game was destined to finish 0-0."

Özkan Yildirim: "We found it hard to get a stranglehold on the game because they were defensive and compact. As the game progressed we dealt with this a bit better. The penalty was the stroke of luck we needed. We're happy with the victory."

Franco Di Santo: "Hamburg are fighting against the drop, whilst we're still looking to finish as high up the table as possible. This made it a very special and interesting game. Winning a game like this is a wonderful feeling. They wanted the points, yet we're the ones who won them."

Thoughts on the decisive penalty decision:

Franco Di Santo: "I thought it was a clear penalty. I'm thankful to have been backed to take spot kicks throughout the whole season, so it was immediately clear that I was going to take it. Obviously I was nervous. You feel the pressure, but that's normal. You're not a footballer if you don't."

Davie Selke: "I haven't seen it on TV yet, but Zlatko is in on goal and is brought down. It's a penalty from my point of view."

Thoughts on the foul on Jannik Vestergaard:

Koen Casteels made his first Bundesliga appearance for Werder in the win over HSV (photo: nph)

Koen Casteels: "That was a reckless challenge. He makes full contact with Jannik's leg. A card would have been deserved."

Viktor Skripnik: "A foul is a foul - whether there should have been a card doesn't matter now. I hope that it's not so bad for Jannik, that's all that counts."

Thomas Eichin:
"You can definitely show a card for that foul, but the referee had a good game otherwise. Jannik is undergoing examinations, we can't say anymore than that at the moment."

Clemens Fritz: "I hope that it's nothing serious for Jannik. It's very frustrating, both for him and the team."

Thoughts on Hamburg’s impending relegation:

Thomas Eichin: "HSV belong in the Bundesliga. In spite of all the rivalry, I hope that they somehow pull through."

Viktor Skripnik: "I wish HSV all the best in their relegation battle. It would be great to have the derby again next season."

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