Manuel Akanji made his return to the substitutes' bench following an injury layoff of almost exactly one month in which he underwent knee surgery. "It was longer than planned," said the 26-year-old, who appeared satisfied post-match  – and not only with the result. "It felt good to make my comeback."

The Switzerland international watched the opening half from the bench and witnessed a "dominant performance" from his team-mates: "When we lost the ball, we won it back quickly," he said. Akanji was sent out to warm up midway through the first period after Emre Can had left the pitch to receive treatment. Head coach Marco Rose spoke in his post-match interview of "hip problems", leaving questions marks hanging over Can's involvement in Tuesday's DFB-Pokal tie away to FC St. Pauli. The same applies to Thomas Meunier. "He twisted his ankle in the first half. He then took a knock to his foot in the second half. It's swollen," revealed Rose, who received some good news on the injury front this week but now has personnel worries to contend with once more. "We might be without two players at the back again."

But back to Manuel Akanji, who after replacing Emre Can at the interval won 50% of his challenges and completed 90% of his passes. All in all, a good comeback after missing five matches. "We responded quickly after conceding the goal for 3-1. That made it slightly more relaxed for me."

Rose was asked whether Akanji would be ready for the starting XI on Tuesday. "Manu dealt with the injury outstandingly. He is highly professional and has quickly put himself at the service of the team once again. Manu will dictate the tempo. What's important is that he is available in the long run. I'm happy he's back." Akanji himself wants to wait and see: "We'll see how my body reacts. Then we'll discuss it with the doctors, the physios and the coaching staff." (br)