"Let's focus on the result and take the positives"

Thomas Tuchel: "I had to take a deep breath afterwards, it was very tough today. Only in a few spells did the play start to flow, the defence could hardly get into the game and we made a lot of unforced errors in attack. Our strategy was to control the match via four offensive midfielders, but that didn't work so well. Sporting were bolder to play out from the back with three men. Our passing distances were very long, that's why we needed a lot of time to shift the play. Nonetheless we are happy to have won. Let's focus on the result and take the positives. We are through after four matches, which is great. We will now recuperate our energy for the match against Hamburg. Today's match really helps us by allowing us to save our energy for the Bundesliga. The victory gives us the feeling that we have won a really tight game by showing great desire."

Gonzalo Castro: "It was a difficult and tough match. What is ultimately important is that we won and have progressed to the next round. In the second half we struggled, our energy levels were dwindling a bit."

Matthias Ginter: "It was a tough match, you could sense we were a bit uncertain. Of course we are not exactly oozing self-confidence after the last few games. But we defended well in the second half, so it's a fair result, even if it wasn't a gala performance from us. At the moment, it's a question of balance whether we play well offensively or defensively. But this victory definitely gives us more self-confidence that we can continue like this from game to game."

Julian Weigl: "We gave everything today, I thought that was clear to see. Every player is exhausted and gave everything. We had quite good spells and had two great chances to go 2-0 ahead before the interval. That would have killed the match, but as it was we had to fight and had some scary moments. Sporting demanded everything from us and were tough to play against when they didn't have the ball. In the end we are happy to have won. Such victories are good for morale."

Michael Zorc: "Congratulations to the team, the players and the coaching staff on this victory and on qualifying for the last 16. The coach is right in saying that this match was definitely no spectacle. Nonetheless, we were effective, although we did have problems when in possession of the ball, made simple mistakes in our build-up play and did not radiate the dominance that we are used to. In the end we still won 1-0, and you still need to work hard for that kind of result. It has been an excellent performance in this group to reach the last 16 after just four matchdays."

"BVB are an outstanding team"

Jorge Jesus (Sporting Lisbon coach): "Our game plan was very good. Having three or five at the back was the right decision. We managed the space well and did the right thing when we had the ball. We put in a very strong performance against a very strong team – unfortunately, it was just the goals that were missing. Martins had two excellent chances that he didn't convert. If you miss chances like that at this level, then you can't complain. A draw would have probably been fair, but as it is I am satisfied with what we showed against Borussia Dortmund."

Bas Dost (Sporting Lisbon): "It was a lovely goal by BVB. The cross was super and Ramos headed in brilliantly. We did have a few chances and gave it a good go but ultimately it was not enough. It was fun to be involved here. We might have lost in the end, but BVB are also an outstanding team. We can be proud of ourselves that we held our own like that." (djg)

BVB total! video: The press conference with Thomas Tuchel following the match against Sporting