Bayer's Chicharito hails impressive Stuttgart win
Top-four hopefuls Bayer 04 Leverkusen were delighted with the manner of their victory away to VfB Stuttgart on Sunday.
VfB Stuttgart 0-2 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Goals: 0-1 Brandt (11'), 0-2 Bellarabi (49')
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez (Leverkusen striker): "It was a very difficult match, but thankfully we got the goals. We didn't concede, already that's the last three games we didn't concede a goal - that's a good sign. With all the injuries in defence and midfield, we're trying to adjust everything. All the players are trying to do their best, as well as the players that are starting their first matches this season. So I think it's a very good result for us to keep fighting for fourth place. In the beginning of the month, we got a lot of injuries like I said. It was very difficult and we had a lot of bad results. We went out of the Europa League, but we won against Hamburg, drew against Villarreal and now we won against Stuttgart away, so I think these three points are very important to the fight for third and fourth place."
Roger Schmidt (Leverkusen head coach): "It was the perfect away game. From the start, my team were fully focused, cohesive and defended well. The opening goal was like a release for us. We were on fire with the chances we created. We definitely could have scored a third. The win will do us good going into the international break."
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Christian Gentner (Stuttgart midfielder): "Leverkusen played a really clever game and kept it up for the entire match. We weren't able to find our tempo and rhythm, so we hardly had any chances. We know that we're fighting for survival as before, even though we've had a good Rückrunde. We've got Easter to recuperate and then it's about giving our best in the remaining games."
Timo Werner (Stuttgart forward): "It was difficult for us. Leverkusen didn't let us get into the game. They did what we expected: transitioned and countered quickly. After the early goal, it was hard to come back against such a well-organised team. We have to look forward and in two weeks it's about picking up important points against Darmstadt."
Florian Klein (Stuttgart defender): "We weren't as solid defensively as we have been in recent weeks. We didn't have much space either, compared to recent games. We know we're not safe yet. The fight for survival still has a long way to go. We need to build on previous performances, then we'll pick up points again."
Jürgen Kramny (Stuttgart head coach): "The game didn't go to plan. Our passing game was too uncertain and we gave too much away. Leverkusen were the more assured of the two teams. After the break, we wanted to raise the tempo and play on the counter, but we gave the ball away too easily. We were a bit more physical towards the end and had one or two chances, but we didn't look like scoring. That's why Leverkusen deserved to win."
