This is what the players and coaches say about TSG Hoffenheim’s 2-2 draw against Olympique Lyon.
Florian Grillitsch: “We worked out the point and defended it passionately. We actually did quite well, but lost the plot a bit in the second half, also due to the substitutions from Lyon, which of course brought in extreme quality, but in the end we deserved the equalizer. We have to show exactly this face in the Bundesliga, especially defensively, when working against the ball. Then we will leave the field as winners in Augsburg.”
Anton Stach: “It was definitely a deserved point. It’s precisely moments like these that make you play football. Even if it wasn’t three points, a late equalizer like this is always a feeling of success. We can take that with us into the next few days. Over the last few weeks we have stabilized overall, but there was always a little something missing. Now the most important thing is that we somehow win the game in Augsburg.”
Oliver Baumann: “We were very, very good in the first half, we were right to take the lead and could have led 2-0. Of course, Lyon made incredible substitutions, we needed a bit, but in the end we showed great morale. Luckily, Umut made a real attempt at persuasion. Of course I’m happy about the late equalizer, but overall I have mixed feelings. When I look at the whole game, the point is almost too small. The squad is intact, which is encouraging and should give us self-confidence. The clear goal is to win in Augsburg. We can’t be satisfied with the number of points in the Bundesliga. We definitely have things that we need to do better. But I’m confident because there’s a lot of spirit in the team.”
Valentin Gendrey: “When the game goes like that, you’re happy about the point. When you concede a goal so late, you’re obviously very happy to be able to equalize. Personally, it is of course a very nice feeling to score my first goal at home. I was integrated very well into the team here.”
Pellegrino Matarazzo: “We are satisfied with our performance and the point. We’re starting the game well, the first half was ours. We got off to a great start in the second half, made it 1-0 and had a chance to make it 2-0. Lyon’s quadruple substitution created problems for us at a time when we were no longer fresh and needed to stabilize. In this phase, Lyon deservedly equalized. It speaks for the team that we managed not to give up after the 2-1 defeat and continued to believe. The equalizer showed the character of the team. I was very happy for the team and also for Umut. The Europa League is good for us. We worked for this last season. We gain experience and compete with top teams. The performances give us the belief that we can perform better again in the Bundesliga.”
Pierre Sagé (Olympic Lyon Chef Trainer): “We improved after conceding the first goal and almost won. It’s annoying that we concede the equalizer after such a late goal of our own. In the end, it feels hard when you fall from such a positive moment to what feels like defeat. We made some changes to the starting eleven so that we would be ready for the derby against Saint-Etienne at the weekend. The best solution was to give some other players match practice today. The substituted players were of course well-rehearsed, which made it easier for the team to coordinate. If you look at the entire game, the draw is a logical result.”
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