For Thomas Tuchel the 2-0 win at Chemnitz made it three wins out of three competitive matches in his role as the BVB manager to date and for the third game running his team kept a clean sheet. Consequently in the press conference after the match he seemed pleased overall. Additionally he spoke about the goalkeeper debate and the performance from Henrickh Mkhitaryan. Here is a summary of the most important points made by the manager:

Thomas Tuchel on the warm welcome in Chemnitz:

“I wanted to first thank everyone for the warm welcome here in Chemnitz. Not only from the many fans in the streets, but also here in the stadium from everybody connected with Chemnitz. Because of the stadium improvements everything is very compact, for example, the dressing rooms. But it was a very sporting and a very fair atmosphere, which made us feel welcome. I believe that it will be a beautiful stadium. I can imagine how intimidating it would be to play here when the stands are full.”

...on their opponents:

“We weren’t given anything. Chemnitz played exactly how we expected them to. Very physically strong and uncompromising with their challenges. They always believed they had a chance.”

...on the first half:

“I am very happy with the first half. We were very dominant and only gave Chemnitz one chance, however we were 90% prepared for it. Still, we had control of the game and as time went on we created more high-quality goal chances. Unfortunately we didn’t score a second goal to make it more comfortable.”

...on the second half:

“From the start of the second half the pace of our passing and our defensive concentration dwindled a little. Then we took longer to identify dangerous situations. So it was not surprising that an experienced second division team with these fans behind them almost found a way through. It’s a good thing that we had a quality goalkeeper at the back who kept us in the game.”

... on the goalkeeper debate:

“There will be an answer to the goalkeeper debate. First we have to decide this internally. We’re discussing it with the coaching staff, with the goalkeeping coach and of course with the keepers themselves. We currently have two excellent goalkeepers, which we need. Both are – in addition to their outstanding performances in training – very valuable in their own ways with their behaviour within the team, how they take on their different roles, and also how they handle the competition between themselves. We are very happy with this and therefore we will come together next week in all openness and clarity and make a decision.”

...on Henrikh Mkhitaryan:

“I am very happy that Miki maintained his form after the hat-trick against Wolfsberg. For the third or fourth time in a row he set up our first goal against Chemnitz, and scored the second himself. It’s good, because it gives him confidence that he’s on the right track. It is natural for him, given his humility to serve as a role model, even within the team. We are very glad that he is with us and that he can show that at the moment.”

Recorded by Dennis-Julian Gottschlich