“We were everywhere, only to then make a lot of things wrong,” said Jürgen Klopp after the game at Marseille. “It wasn’t easy to stay calm. But the team kept their calm and were rewarded with a spawny goal.”

 

Did you believe in a happy ending after the team had wasted so many chances?

We were never too far from victory and always believed we could win. But if you don’t take your chances, you often get punished. We played against a passionate team and allowed them few chances, yet we still conceded a goal which unfortunately was also scored from an offside position. But we were convinced that we would get another chance. That the ball then went in like it did was not to be expected.

What does it mean to you to advance as group winners? And is there a team you would like BVB to draw in the last 16 round?

We did not concern ourselves with winning the group before the game, only with how we could make it to the next round. I’m overjoyed about this situation, and honestly very surprised that we won the group.

How did Hans-Joachim Watzke do during the game?

He was very tense, even before the game. Though, he should have gotten used by now to us having close matches…

Was it due to the pressure that BVB wasted so many chances?

It has something to do with it, for sure. We broke down the wings many times, only to be too hectic and not precise enough. The pitch wasn’t that great, either. Our nerves were strained, and that does not allow quality football. But we kept hanging on until the ball went in.

Nuri Sahin played with a partial ligament injury, Marian Sahin made his debut. What do you make of their performances?

I’m totally happy with both of them. Nuri showed with his performance how important he was in this game. Or to say it differently: because of Nuri, it was difficult for them to get into threatening spaces. Marian showed more than I had hoped for. He was cool with the ball, didn’t lose a single crucial tackle and even sacrificed himself to a yellow card. For his first game, this was really good!

What is your view on the group phase?

I produced the first negative highlight in Napoli and played a part in the game spiralling a bit out of control. That’s why I take a big share of blame for the defeat. We then had great moments in the home game against Marseille and away to Arsenal. We were under a lot of pressure after the home defeat to Arsenal, and not only had to beat a strong Italian side, but also beat them by a two-goal margin. In the last six month a lot has gone against us, especially injury-wise, but the team showed a great response. We came back, and came out winners. This is really good.