"A point is not enough, when you hold a lead for a long time"

Werder drew 1-1 against Köln in their final home match of the year
First Team
Saturday, 12.12.2015 / 21:25

The Green-whites were looking to finish off their home-season at the Werder Stadium with a victory, but came up short as they were held to a 1-1 draw by 1. FC Köln.

The Green-whites were looking to finish off their home-season at the Werder Stadium with a victory, but came up short as they were held to a 1-1 draw by 1. FC Köln. "We desperately wanted this home win, but in the end we simply didn't produce enough danger going forward. We lacked self-confidence and thus the ability to land a breakthrough," explained manager Thomas Eichin after the final whistle. "Köln are a strong side and we knew they would generate pressure. Our performance in the opening twenty minutes was really good, but I can't explain what happened in the second half," said Anthony Ujah in the Volkswagen-Talk after the game.

WERDER.DE collected the reactions from the Green-Whites as they faced the media.

On the game:

Clemens Fritz: "We wanted to play bravely. In the first half that worked out, but it was incomprehensible that we lost this courage in the second half. We were too afraid, too timid and always made a step back. It was only a matter of time when we would concede the equaliser."

Philipp Bargfrede and his teammates dominated the opening exchanges

Viktor Skripnik: "We really wanted to win our final home game of the year, but unfortunately we couldn't do it. It was a similar scenario to our game in Stuttgart last weekend. The home team were the better side, started the game brightly and took the lead. In the second half the away team showed a reaction and managed to grab a deserved point. We showed a disciplined performance in the first half and finally one of our set-pieces worked out. However, after we took the lead we failed to add a second goal."

Felix Wiedwald: "We allowed ourselves to be pushed back deep into our own half and waited for our chances to counter attack and we had a few. We simply have to take our chances better."

Thomas Eichin: "You could feel the equaliser coming. For a long time in this game our defence looked stable, but Köln kept coming and generated a lot of pressure. In the end we had to make sure not to concede a second goal."

Jannik Vestergaard: "A point is not enough, when you hold a lead for such a long time in a game. I think we played a very good first half, in which we didn't allow our opponents any chances. We should've taken more advantage of our counter-attacking situations. But now we've got to live with this draw."


On the missed penalty:

Clemens Fritz: "We don't blame Tony for anything, as it can happen all the time. He's saved several games for us already and he's the one who is most upset about it."

Jannik Vestergaard: "Obviously it's frustrating that the ball didn't end up in the net, but the keeper made a good save. We had enough other chances, which we should've capitalised from."

Viktor Skripnik: "The team decided on who takes the penalties. Whoever feels good will take them. Clemens talked to Tony before the penalty and that's what the captain is there for. In our situation, every missed opportunity to score a goal hurts of course. In the end the penalty was the turning point of the match."

Thomas Eichin: "If we score that penalty everything could've turned out differently. The bottom line is that one point from this game is not enough but based on the run of play it's a fair result. I understand that our fans are upset, but it's also an important point and we have to live with it."

Anthony Ujah: "I feel bad for not converting the penalty. It's very difficult for me, because I take these situations personally. But that's football."


On the substitution shortly after the break:

Viktor Skripnik: "Florian Grillitsch had suffered a knock and unfortunately we had to take him off. He already showed his a big bruise during half-time and he simply couldn't keep going."


On the final games before the winter break:

Clemens Fritz: "We have nothing to lose in Gladbach, but after that we have to focus on our final league game in Frankfurt. We need the three points, so that we can relax more over Christmas."

Viktor Skripnik: "We now have two away games, of which we have nothing to fear. No matter who we face on the pitch."

Jannik Vestergaard: "We will go to Frankfurt looking for the win. We want to finish the year on a high. It will be an encounter between two sides who have struggled in the first half of the season. I doubt that we will see attractive football, but it will be a real fight."

Thomas Eichin: "We desperately want to win in Frankfurt. Our goal is to finish the first half of the season on 18 points."

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