Grillitsch: I don’t know. It was one of my best games, but I am just pleased that Iwas able to help the team with my performance, and that we can now celebrate the win.
Question: You scored the goal to make it 3-1. There was discussion between players and the referee. Were you involved?
Grillitsch: I wasn’t there. I know what it was about - whether or not I was in an offside position. I hoped it wasn’t offside, and was of course very pleased when the goal was given.
Question: And now a semi-final against Bayern?
Grillitsch: (laughs) We’ll see. I actually don’t mind who we face, although Bayern wouldn’t be ideal.
Question: Werder played well as a team. Does this give you confidence going into the important Bundesliga matches coming up?
Grillitsch: We know that we have the quality. We have to run, fight and give 100%, and then anything is possible, even against good opposition like Leverkusen. We need to show this in the Bundesliga in the coming weeks.
Question: How much confidence does the result bring you?
Werder Bremen continued their impressive run in the DFB Cup last night. The 16-placed team in the Bundesliga defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-1, and can now start to really dream about lifting the cup. It was also a special evening for Florian Grillitsch. The Austria U21 international not only scored his first competitive goal for Werder, but also put the game to bed in the 82nd minute. In an interview with DFB.de, the 20-year-old discusses the reason for the impressive win, the relegation battle in the league, and his desired opposition in the final four.
Question: Congratulations on the win and your first goal. What happened in between the 5-1 defeat to Gladbach and the cup win against Leverkusen?
Florian Grillitsch: Thank you. We had big targets, and did well in the end. We were unlucky to go behind, won the important tackles, and knew that we were capable of something. I think in the end it was a deserved victory.
Question: Werder coach Skripnik changed a few things going into the game, both in terms of line-up and tactics. How much did these help get the win?
Grillitsch: His decisions made a big difference. He set us up well to face the opposition, and we were able to execute our plan perfectly. We did well on the break, even if could have done better in a few instances.
Question: How nervous were you when the scores were still at 2-1?
Grillitsch: Not nervous. We were well organised, and didn’t really allow them much. I don’t think Leverkusen had any 100% chances. We countered well at the end, and then it was as good as decided that we would leave the pitch as winners.
Question: Was that your best game for Werder?
Grillitsch: I don’t know. It was one of my best games, but I am just pleased that Iwas able to help the team with my performance, and that we can now celebrate the win.
Question: You scored the goal to make it 3-1. There was discussion between players and the referee. Were you involved?
Grillitsch: I wasn’t there. I know what it was about - whether or not I was in an offside position. I hoped it wasn’t offside, and was of course very pleased when the goal was given.
Question: And now a semi-final against Bayern?
Grillitsch: (laughs) We’ll see. I actually don’t mind who we face, although Bayern wouldn’t be ideal.
Question: Werder played well as a team. Does this give you confidence going into the important Bundesliga matches coming up?
Grillitsch: We know that we have the quality. We have to run, fight and give 100%, and then anything is possible, even against good opposition like Leverkusen. We need to show this in the Bundesliga in the coming weeks.
Question: How much confidence does the result bring you?
Grillitsch: Our belief has returned. We hope that we can build on this against Hoffenheim, and can record another win.
Question: You’ve been here before, after winning in Gladbach in the cup, you lost to Frankfurt a few days later. How can this be avoided this time around?
Grillitsch: That is the past, and we are not thinking about that anymore. We are pleased with the win, and have already started preparation for the Hoffenheim match. We need to give 100% once again, and put in a good team performance.
