“Good first step” | OneFootball

Head coach Dino Toppmöller, Ansgar Knauff and Jean-Mattéo Bahoya assess the 4-1 win over Bremen. Here’s the post-match reaction.

Head coach Dino Toppmöller: “I said to the boys before the game that they should take the excitement and anticipation that everyone was feeling and put it to good use out on the pitch. We saw that from the first second. I particularly liked the sharpness in our pressing and counter-pressing. We sealed it with a great goal by Ansgar Knauff. Overall the win was very much deserved. It was a good first step and a superb start for us – just what we wanted.”

Ansgar Knauff: “We implemented our game plan from the start and brought good energy onto the pitch. We repeatedly put Bremen under pressure. The substitutions brought added energy, and we saw it out safely. I’m pleased I could help the team. The goal was important to settle the game down. I’m ready for more. In Ritsu Doan, Jean-Mattéo Bahoya and myself, we have three wingers who all have their qualities and have scored in the first two games. We’re pushing each other.”

Jean-Mattéo Bahoya: “I’m very happy about the two goals and of course that we won. Hopefully we can keep it up next week. It was maybe my best performance in Frankfurt. I played with a lot of energy, speed and confidence, and I hope it’s just the start. I love playing with Can Uzun. He’s playing very well, knows me and sees whether it’s better to pass to me or go himself. It’s the first time I’ve scored two goals in one game, which is a wonderful feeling. I have the room and the freedom to show my football, so I hope I can score more goals this season. I’m not the best header of a ball, but I’ve been practising.”