The 15th match day of the Bundesliga had some explosive stories on offer on Saturday. Werder Bremen were narrowly beaten by Champions League participants RB Leipzig. There were also setbacks for VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Köln against Leverkusen and Hertha BSC respectively. The most important voices on the match day.
Bayer Leverkusen – VfB Stuttgart 2:0
Alexander Wehrle (CEO VfB Stuttgart)
… on the future of interim coach Michael Wimmer: “I spoke to Michael Wimmer before the game and we agreed that we would sit down after the trip to the USA, regardless of the outcome of the game – and then make a decision.”
… to Wimmer’s arguments: “He had won all home games – that’s a clear sign. Looking beyond the games, he did a good job.”
… on the future of sports director Sven Mislintat: “So far, Sven and I have made all decisions together. The separation from ‘Rino’ Matarazzo and also the trust in Michael Wimmer was a joint decision. I discussed very clearly with Sven that we will make the decisions after the trip to the USA.”
… on the negotiations with Sven Mislintat: “I said from the start that we would start the contract talks. We’ve been talking to each other for a few weeks. We agreed on the timetable together that after the 15th matchday and after make a decision after the trip to the USA. I don’t go into negotiations just to negotiate, but at the end of the day we want to achieve a result.”
Michael Wimmer (coach VfB Stuttgart)
… on his future: “We’ll sit down after the USA. It’s a lot of fun working with the boys. The boys give it their all in training, we’ve scored nine points in six games. Now we’re flying to the USA, Then we sit down and see what comes out.”
… on the possible return as assistant coach: “That is also a topic that we would discuss afterwards. I have never made a secret of the fact that my goal in the medium term is to work independently with a team as head coach. We set us together in America and discuss the details.”
Waldemar Anton (VfB Stuttgart) on the game: “Today, individual qualities decided the game. We knew what to expect and defended well. Neither team went forward that much. It was a very tough game. We could have played another 90 minutes today and not scored did.”
Florian Müller (goalkeeper VfB Stuttgart) on the game: “Of course you get angry. But that’s part of it, I can’t influence it. I can try to push the lads. We tried hard, but we lacked the last punch forward.”
Nadiem Amiri (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) on the game: “We worked well as a team and we were good with the ball. We had a little less possession the whole game, but we still had a certain stability. Thank God we showed the individual qualities of the players again – and with the goals you can see that you can win again with these qualities.”
Werder Bremen – RB Leipzig 1: 2
Marco Rose (RB Leipzig coach)
… about the game: “It was the expected difficult game against a strong promoted team, a good Bremen team. We still played it very maturely, had control of the game and had opportunities in the first half. We took the lead, the The lead at the break was okay. Bremen were still dangerous. The second half was very open, at times very wild. We defended it from the back with everything we had left. It was a deserved win, but one that we worked hard for. “
… on the series with 13 games without defeat: “This means that we have a few days off first – we need them too. Hopefully many of our boys will play a successful World Cup and come back healthy . January work hard to win more games.”
Xaver Schlager (goal scorer RB Leipzig) on the game: “It was very difficult at the end, we were pushed in at the back and couldn’t really get out. Bremen did very well, but we held on and fought. Luckily we won 2-1 because it’s an important win and are important points.”
Ole Werner (coach SV Werder Bremen) for the calendar year 2022: “The team did a good job throughout the calendar year. Also this season that we are reasonably positioned as a promoted team. It is important for us that we continue to develop and remain clear. We are not at the end of the road. This long break is It’s extremely important for us to develop further, to work well and to lay a good foundation for the second half of the season, because it will be tight in this league and every point will be at stake for us.”
Niclas Füllkrug (SV Werder Bremen) on the anticipation of the World Cup: “It’s still a bit difficult right now because I have the game in my head. But I’m really looking forward to it – let’s see what awaits me there.”
Hertha BSC – 1. FC Cologne 2-0
Sandro Schwarz (Coach Hertha BSC)
… about the game: “It was an important win. Especially when you get this blow to the neck against Stuttgart on Tuesday and show such a reaction. There were one or two moments in the first half where we were lucky. But we are very good came into play and put up a passionate fight in the second half. All in all, it was a deserved win.”
… on the victory before the World Cup break: “At least as far as the feeling is concerned, it’s important. We’re taking that with us now – with the knowledge that we have to keep improving the little things in order to keep scoring and being successful be.”
Jonas Hector (Captain 1. FC Köln) on the game: “In the first half we have two or three really good chances that we don’t use. We conceded exactly the same goal when we made it 2-0 as in Freiburg. That’s too cheap.”
Linton Maina (1. FC Cologne)
… on the big opportunity that was missed: “It fits in with the last few weeks in terms of exploiting opportunities.”
… on the high pressure this season: “Everyone is a bit exhausted. It was very exhausting weeks and months. The squad is getting smaller and smaller. That’s why the break is very convenient for us.”
1899 Hoffenheim – VfL Wolfsburg 1: 2
Maximilian Arnold (Captain VfL Wolfsburg)
… on Hansi Flick’s call and the non-consideration for the World Cup: “Hansi Flick didn’t explain it very well – there wasn’t much to explain either. I was very disappointed on Thursday and glad that I was with my children at the afternoon Laternzug was there. I had a lot of fun. I was able to forget the whole thing a bit because it’s a disappointment for me. I could have added value for the national team. But that’s how it was decided and you have to accept it. It’s tough, but the head is definitely going up.”
… about the game: “Hoffenheim put a lot of pressure on, especially in the first half. Koen Casteels held on incredibly well again. When things are going well, they are going – that’s football we didn’t win it. We’re enjoying it incredibly now. We know we have to work a lot and we like working as a team. I keep emphasizing it: I’m very, very proud of the team.”
Christoph Baumgartner (goal scorer TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) on the game: “We played a really good game today between the penalty areas, but games are decided in the box – and we weren’t good enough today, VfL were better there. They scored two goals with few chances. We had a lot of actions, but didn’t finish it.”
FC Augsburg – VfL Bochum 0:1
Simon Zoller (VfL Bochum) on his first away win: “We’ve put that on our list, that we want to win away from home. That gave us a few more days off. It’s very nice and feels good.”
Rafal Gikiewicz (goalkeeper FC Augsburg) on the game: “From the 20th minute it was a dead game from our side. We can talk and analyze now, but at home against Bochum Manuel Riemann hardly has to save a ball.”