''We're really happy to have finished first''

Marcel Schmelzer:  ''We're really happy to have finished first in this group. We took our foot off the gas a bit in the second half and that allowed Monaco to get back into the game. That caused a few problems, but then fortunately we were able to get the second goal. The coach had pointed out in his pre-match analysis that Monaco try to close down any space in the middle of the park and that this would mean that we'd have plenty of room out wide, which turned out to be the case on a few occasions. It was really hard work for me out there after almost two months out, but it felt good at the same time. Huge compliments have to go to all the players out there. Today showed exactly what it is that's made us so strong this year: all those players who maybe don't play so often never let their heads drop, instead they go out there and perform every bit as well as they do in training. This really helps push the team forward. Everyone wanted to make the most of the opportunity.''

Mario Götze:''If you look at the match as a whole, with all the possession we had you'd have to say we deserved the win in the end. Winning the group makes it that bit sweeter. We were saying before the match that we felt Atlético might draw 0-0. Fortunately this turned out to be the case. Taking everything into account, the situation is really positive just now. On a personal level, I'm improving all the time. Of course I would love to get the odd assist or the odd goal, but that will come with time, I'm sure of that. As long as we work hard as a team, both in defence and in attack, then we're going to have a lot of success.''

Marwin Hitz: ''It's been the perfect week so far. It's important that we got the win. It was good that we kept a clean sheet and that we came first in the group. You really can't ask for more.''
Transcribed by Christina Reinke