Benjamin Henrichs tasted defeat in none of his first six Champions League matches, but that run ended in the first leg of Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League last 16 tie against Atlético Madrid. The German side were beaten 4-2 at home by last year’s finalists, with French forwards Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann made things very tough for the Werkself on the night. DFB.de spoke to Benjamin Henrichs, who made his debut in the national team in November 2016, about nerves, his side’s chances in the return leg and Kai Havertz’s debut in Europe’s elite competition.
Question: Mr Henrichs, what are your thoughts following last night’s defeat?
Benjamin
Henrichs: The defeat is obviously tough to swallow. I think we gave our all, but then we conceded unnecessary goals and need to take a good look at ourselves.
Question: How much hope is there that the team can still qualify for the next round, ahead of the second leg?
Henrichs: If we go there with the attitude that it’s all over already, we may as well save ourselves the journey. The game starts from 0-0. We will try to learn from our mistakes today and play better in Madrid.
Question: Julian Brandt said that the team was a bit too naive at the start. Do you agree?
Henrichs: Yes, a little naive. Maybe that comes with nerves. We have a young team. Kai made his debut in the Champions League today. And for me it’s still my first proper season with the first team. So it’s reasonable to talk about naivety and nerves a little.
Question: Bayer recently won back-to-back matches. What was different today?
Benjamin Henrichs tasted defeat in none of his first six Champions League matches, but that run ended in the first leg of Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League last 16 tie against Atlético Madrid. The German side were beaten 4-2 at home by last year’s finalists, with French forwards Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann made things very tough for the Werkself on the night. DFB.de spoke to Benjamin Henrichs, who made his debut in the national team in November 2016, about nerves, his side’s chances in the return leg and Kai Havertz’s debut in Europe’s elite competition.
Question: Mr Henrichs, what are your thoughts following last night’s defeat?
Benjamin
Henrichs: The defeat is obviously tough to swallow. I think we gave our all, but then we conceded unnecessary goals and need to take a good look at ourselves.
Question: How much hope is there that the team can still qualify for the next round, ahead of the second leg?
Henrichs: If we go there with the attitude that it’s all over already, we may as well save ourselves the journey. The game starts from 0-0. We will try to learn from our mistakes today and play better in Madrid.
Question: Julian Brandt said that the team was a bit too naive at the start. Do you agree?
Henrichs: Yes, a little naive. Maybe that comes with nerves. We have a young team. Kai made his debut in the Champions League today. And for me it’s still my first proper season with the first team. So it’s reasonable to talk about naivety and nerves a little.
Question: Bayer recently won back-to-back matches. What was different today?
Henrichs: Just because we were so nervous and naive. We made a few mistakes that shouldn’t happen. That’s how their goals came about.
Question: How was the morale in the team at half time after pulling it back to 2-1?
Henrichs: We fought back twice, but weren’t clever enough in the decisive moments, which is why we conceded the goals we did.
Question: Do you have any words for Kai Havertz, who made his Champions League debut today aged just 17?
Henrichs: I’m obviously delighted for him. The last few weeks and months have been incredible for him. He earned this with his good performances and his is repaying the faith playing well.
