Bayer Leverkusen celebrated their first Champions League win this season in a special stadium last night. Kevin Kampl’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur ensured a 1-0 win for the Werkself in front of more than 85,000 spectators, in what was a near sell-out at Wembley Stadium. Jonathan Tah also had a big part to play in the historic win, forming a strong partnership alongside Ömer Toprak, in the heart of the Leverkusen defence. In an interview with DFB.de, 20-year-old Tah speaks about his Wembley experience and why he was still shaking after the win.
Question: Mr. Tah, Bayer Leverkusen finally got their much sought-after win in the Champions League, and it came at Wembley of all places. Where does this win rank in your short career so far?
Jonathan Tah: It really was a special evening, beating Tottenham at Wembley stadium. I’m not sure I’ve experienced anything like it in my career so far. The atmosphere was unique. It was also important that after three consecutive draws in the Champions League, we finally got the win that we deserved. We now head into our next game with a lot of confidence.
Question: Apart from an Eric Dier free-kick, which hit the woodwork, Bayer Leverkusen looked particularly good at the back against Tottenham, letting little through. In the last few minutes of the game, did you think you would concede a late goal, like you have in the last few games?
Tah: Tottenham applied a lot of pressure in the last ten minutes and we were under the cosh. Spurs are a great team, so we knew that they would create a couple of chances in the end.
Question: Despite the victory in London, the group is still wide open. Leverkusen haven’t yet sealed their passage to the knockout stages. In order to make qualification certain, you will need to beat CSKA Moscow and AS Monaco. How would you assess your position in the group?
Tah: Before the game, we spoke about how we couldn’t afford to lose, as we would then no longer have qualification in our own hands. Now, it is within our control and we head into the last two games in a good position.
Question: You played in front of 85,512 fans against Tottenham and it was a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium. How difficult is now to switch your focus to your next Bundesliga challenge against SV Darmstadt?
Tah: It’s a lot easier the way we are feeling. We need to start getting points on the board again in the Bundesliga. We’ve done our job in the Champions League, now we need to do continue that against Darmstadt on Saturday.
Question: How did it feel to play at Wembley Stadium and then to hear the 2,500 travelling fans celebrating at the end?
Tah: It was a goosebumps moment. We trained in the stadium on Tuesday when it was empty, then before the game when you’re in the tunnel before the game and can hear the fans chanting. It was nice at the end that you could only really hear our fans. Big compliments to all the fans who travelled from Germany.
Question: Yet another strong performance from 19-year-old right back Benjamin Heinrichs against Tottenham Hotspur.
Tah: Yes, it’s incredible how well the lad is playing. He has potential to make it into the national team. He has confidence and it’s a lot of fun playing alongside him.
Question: In two weeks the national team have a European Qualifier against San Marino and then a friendly against Italy in Milan. Have you spoken to Joachim Löw already?
Tah: No, there’s been no contact yet, but it would obviously be great to be called up.
created by mmc/vs/jm
Bayer Leverkusen celebrated their first Champions League win this season in a special stadium last night. Kevin Kampl’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur ensured a 1-0 win for the Werkself in front of more than 85,000 spectators, in what was a near sell-out at Wembley Stadium. Jonathan Tah also had a big part to play in the historic win, forming a strong partnership alongside Ömer Toprak, in the heart of the Leverkusen defence. In an interview with DFB.de, 20-year-old Tah speaks about his Wembley experience and why he was still shaking after the win.
Question: Mr. Tah, Bayer Leverkusen finally got their much sought-after win in the Champions League, and it came at Wembley of all places. Where does this win rank in your short career so far?
Jonathan Tah: It really was a special evening, beating Tottenham at Wembley stadium. I’m not sure I’ve experienced anything like it in my career so far. The atmosphere was unique. It was also important that after three consecutive draws in the Champions League, we finally got the win that we deserved. We now head into our next game with a lot of confidence.
Question: Apart from an Eric Dier free-kick, which hit the woodwork, Bayer Leverkusen looked particularly good at the back against Tottenham, letting little through. In the last few minutes of the game, did you think you would concede a late goal, like you have in the last few games?
Tah: Tottenham applied a lot of pressure in the last ten minutes and we were under the cosh. Spurs are a great team, so we knew that they would create a couple of chances in the end.
Question: Despite the victory in London, the group is still wide open. Leverkusen haven’t yet sealed their passage to the knockout stages. In order to make qualification certain, you will need to beat CSKA Moscow and AS Monaco. How would you assess your position in the group?
Tah: Before the game, we spoke about how we couldn’t afford to lose, as we would then no longer have qualification in our own hands. Now, it is within our control and we head into the last two games in a good position.
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Question: You played in front of 85,512 fans against Tottenham and it was a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium. How difficult is now to switch your focus to your next Bundesliga challenge against SV Darmstadt?
Tah: It’s a lot easier the way we are feeling. We need to start getting points on the board again in the Bundesliga. We’ve done our job in the Champions League, now we need to do continue that against Darmstadt on Saturday.
Question: How did it feel to play at Wembley Stadium and then to hear the 2,500 travelling fans celebrating at the end?
Tah: It was a goosebumps moment. We trained in the stadium on Tuesday when it was empty, then before the game when you’re in the tunnel before the game and can hear the fans chanting. It was nice at the end that you could only really hear our fans. Big compliments to all the fans who travelled from Germany.
Question: Yet another strong performance from 19-year-old right back Benjamin Heinrichs against Tottenham Hotspur.
Tah: Yes, it’s incredible how well the lad is playing. He has potential to make it into the national team. He has confidence and it’s a lot of fun playing alongside him.
Question: In two weeks the national team have a European Qualifier against San Marino and then a friendly against Italy in Milan. Have you spoken to Joachim Löw already?
Tah: No, there’s been no contact yet, but it would obviously be great to be called up.
