Matchday eight of the Bundesliga season featured plenty of drama, goals and exciting action at both ends of the table. We spoke to some Germany internationals who were involved in the weekend’s matches.
1. FC Köln 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Marco Reus: We got in and around the box quite often but weren’t shooting. I’m one of the biggest culprits. We made the wrong decision four or five times and weren’t causing them enough problems. We wanted to win in Köln but couldn’t. That’s football. If we continue to work hard, the good times will come again soon. For now we need to concentrate on the game in Istanbul.
Ilkay Gündogan: It’s good to be back after a long time out. The goals we conceded were totally avoidable. Our concentration levels were maybe only at 90% during those moments, we need to be at 100%.
Schalke 04 2-0 Hertha BSC
Julian Draxler: It was important to start with three points under the new coach and we’ve managed that. It’s not easy when a new manager comes in with a new philosophy. We didn’t set off any fireworks today, but it was just about getting three points. It was important that we didn’t get caught on the counter. We were solid at the back and had a compact defence. We kept a clean sheet and showed our individual quality in attack, even though everything hasn’t quite slotted together yet.
Benedikt Höwedes: We wanted to be solid at the back and keep a clean sheet, and we managed that so we can be happy. You also have to remember that we weren’t able to train with the whole team during the international break. I think we dealt with the situation very well though. We wanted to keep things tight through the middle and keep the two defensive midfielders central. We weren’t always able to do that but we tried to implement the manager’s instructions and we didn’t allow them many chances as a result. It’s not a huge one, but we’ve taken a good and important step in the right direction. We have to carry on working patiently and keep progression step by step. Hopefully we can continue like this.
Hannover 96 0-3 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Max Kruse: We knew that we would have to channel Germany’s World Cup Final performance to win here. I would say we did that – the team were compact, strong and ruthless on the counter-attack. We scored our goals at the right time, which helped to nullify the Hannover threat. We’re not going to go unbeaten for the entire season. We’re in great form at the minute, but we need to see how we will cope when things aren’t going as well.
Ron-Robert Zieler: The defeat is a bitter pill to take because of how good we have been at home so far this season; to lost 3-0 is disappointing. We started well and the first goal we conceded was unlucky. We then had to deal with a very organised Gladbach team. We created a few chances in the game, but not as many as we would have liked to.
Bayern München 6-0 Werder Bremen
Thomas Müller: We are happy for the fans, 6-0 is a great result for us. Two score six goals in a game is impressive – you need to work hard, win your tackles, attack strongly and create chances. When teams come to Munich they like to make it difficult for us, it becomes even harder if they set themselves up with a defensive formation.
Manuel Neuer: I didn’t have to save a shot in the game. That doesn’t bother me too much, because I was still involved in the game. In the second half it became easier for us. We played well from the start. Bremen appeared to want to attack us early on, but we played well and managed to keep them quiet before going in front ourselves.
Quotes: sid, bvb.de, bundesliga.de, hannover96.de, fcbayern.de, sportschau.de
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Matchday eight of the Bundesliga season featured plenty of drama, goals and exciting action at both ends of the table. We spoke to some Germany internationals who were involved in the weekend’s matches.
1. FC Köln 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Marco Reus: We got in and around the box quite often but weren’t shooting. I’m one of the biggest culprits. We made the wrong decision four or five times and weren’t causing them enough problems. We wanted to win in Köln but couldn’t. That’s football. If we continue to work hard, the good times will come again soon. For now we need to concentrate on the game in Istanbul.
Ilkay Gündogan: It’s good to be back after a long time out. The goals we conceded were totally avoidable. Our concentration levels were maybe only at 90% during those moments, we need to be at 100%.
Schalke 04 2-0 Hertha BSC
Julian Draxler: It was important to start with three points under the new coach and we’ve managed that. It’s not easy when a new manager comes in with a new philosophy. We didn’t set off any fireworks today, but it was just about getting three points. It was important that we didn’t get caught on the counter. We were solid at the back and had a compact defence. We kept a clean sheet and showed our individual quality in attack, even though everything hasn’t quite slotted together yet.
Benedikt Höwedes: We wanted to be solid at the back and keep a clean sheet, and we managed that so we can be happy. You also have to remember that we weren’t able to train with the whole team during the international break. I think we dealt with the situation very well though. We wanted to keep things tight through the middle and keep the two defensive midfielders central. We weren’t always able to do that but we tried to implement the manager’s instructions and we didn’t allow them many chances as a result. It’s not a huge one, but we’ve taken a good and important step in the right direction. We have to carry on working patiently and keep progression step by step. Hopefully we can continue like this.
Hannover 96 0-3 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Max Kruse: We knew that we would have to channel Germany’s World Cup Final performance to win here. I would say we did that – the team were compact, strong and ruthless on the counter-attack. We scored our goals at the right time, which helped to nullify the Hannover threat. We’re not going to go unbeaten for the entire season. We’re in great form at the minute, but we need to see how we will cope when things aren’t going as well.
Ron-Robert Zieler: The defeat is a bitter pill to take because of how good we have been at home so far this season; to lost 3-0 is disappointing. We started well and the first goal we conceded was unlucky. We then had to deal with a very organised Gladbach team. We created a few chances in the game, but not as many as we would have liked to.
Bayern München 6-0 Werder Bremen
Thomas Müller: We are happy for the fans, 6-0 is a great result for us. Two score six goals in a game is impressive – you need to work hard, win your tackles, attack strongly and create chances. When teams come to Munich they like to make it difficult for us, it becomes even harder if they set themselves up with a defensive formation.
Manuel Neuer: I didn’t have to save a shot in the game. That doesn’t bother me too much, because I was still involved in the game. In the second half it became easier for us. We played well from the start. Bremen appeared to want to attack us early on, but we played well and managed to keep them quiet before going in front ourselves.
Quotes: sid, bvb.de, bundesliga.de, hannover96.de, fcbayern.de, sportschau.de
