Whether or not Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-1 win at 1. FC Köln was once deserved or no longer, it did not subject to these desirous about Werksel after the overall whistle. “Winning the derby, nothing else matters,” mentioned captain Robert Andrich after the sport. “In the end, three points count. “We were not the simpler workforce as of late or the simpler possibilities in opposition to Cologne,” admitted the defender.
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Whilst for the lovers luck within the Rhine derby is basically essential for status, the three-pointer has a large number of weight for the workforce and the membership when it comes to the top of the season and, above all, the season’s function. “Especially now in the phase when we talked a lot about what is there and what is not, it is extremely important. Four games, four victories and then we will be in the Champions League. Today was one of them,” emphasised Andrić.
The open query of the goalkeeper in Leverkusen
After the unlucky and past due defeat of 1-2 in spite of long-standing supremacy and a lot of superb function possibilities in opposition to FC Augsburg per week in the past, trainer Kasper Hjulmand noticed himself as an excessively fortunate winner: “Football is a bit crazy sometimes. Last week we had 36 shots on goal and lost. Today we were lucky,” mentioned goalkeeper Dapper.
Since Mark Flekken was once out of the sector because of muscle issues, the trainer selected Janis Blasvich between the posts, who was once not too long ago relegated to the second one tier. With a lot of robust defenses, the goalkeeper stored his workforce from conceding a function on a number of events. “We’re very happy with our goalkeepers. We’ll see what happens next week,” Hjulmand mentioned when requested what is going to occur subsequent at that place.
Without reference to the goalkeeping factor, in the remainder 3 video games in opposition to Leipzig, in Stuttgart and in opposition to Hamburger, a constantly convincing efficiency can be wanted above all to handle the possibilities of participation within the premier magnificence. In Cologne, the workforce noticeably lacked pace, power and concepts. This was once additionally transparent to Hjulmand: “Of course we also have to be critical of our performance,” defined the Dane.
“Top performance” – challenged Leverkusen within the closing soar
The strain of 3 video games in seven days additionally performed an element for Andirh, together with a cup go out in a 2-0 defeat to Bayern within the semi-finals on Wednesday. “The week has already taken its toll on us,” mentioned the 31-year-old, who was once nonetheless assured in regards to the finish of the season: “It will be a completely different game against Stuttgart and Leipzig. We will approach things accordingly and of course also deal with what was not good today.”
It’s also transparent to the sports activities director that an build up in efficiency is vital to reach the function of the primary magnificence: “The team knows that we have to and can play better. We have to show top performances,” mentioned Simon Rolfes, taking a look on the end line. And two-time scorer Patrick Schick additionally obviously set the route: “We have to win the last three games. The hope is there, the will is there. I hope we can still do it.”
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