"Proud of my team"

There were two faces displayed by the Wolves during their 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig. VfL head-coach Martin Schmidt’s men initially took the lead from the penalty spot, but found themselves then successively forced back deep into their own half and were unable to make any offensive impressions. Duly, in the second-half, the visitors from Leipzig snagged their, by that stage deserved, equaliser. In the closing phase of the game, the Green-Whites generated some determined attacking power through Yunus Malli and Divock Origi, but in spite of creating a number of good openings, where unable to turn their superiority into a winning goal. In the end, both sides could consider themselves satisfied with the point.

Ralph Hasenhüttl: We played very well for 75 minutes of the game this evening, were particularly strong in our pressing against the ball and we allowed our opponents very little air to breath. We then went behind relatively early to a penalty which can be given. We had to deal with that, but we stuck to our guns and continued with our aggressive pressing game. We were very determined in our approach having won possession, but we also had a lot of situations in the box where we lacked the necessary precision and failed to find the final pass. That was the main difference to the away games which we won. Up until the final quarter-hour, a point was too little, after that though, we can count ourselves very lucky to have come away with one. VfL had all the chances, but Peter Gulacsi kept us in the tie.

Martin Schmidt: We struggled for a long period against an opponent who put on a great deal of pressure. It was clear to see that, when Yunus and Daniel are unable to turn on the style, we lack penetrative power getting forward. Defending for an entire half against Leipzig costs a great deal of physical and mental energy. During the break we spoke about ball possession, then we came out and almost immediately conceded the equaliser. We found our way back into the game after that however and proved that we possess quality going forward. From two or three chances, it is almost unbelievable that we didn’t score a winner. The point we have taken is deserved, based on our good second-half display. With a bit of luck, we may even have claimed all three. I am proud of my team, particularly their performance after the break.