Head coach Peter Bosz had fine words to say for his team and a number of players in particular after the European dream night. He thought Guus Til was once again very strong; had admiration for Ryan Flamingo and spoke highly of Armando Obispo, Ismael Saibari and Dennis Man. "Actually everyone played well, even the substitutes," he said.
What all happened here?
"A difficult start, but a wonderful sequel. They put us under full pressure and you have to play under that. The goal against was logical. Yarek also got yellow. So it didn't start easy, but we knew that if we wanted to have a chance, we had to play football. That's what we started doing."
You also started playing better and better football.
"That's because of a kind of perception of success. When you are well ahead, you play much more freely. Everyone was good, including the substitutes. Obispo filled in really well, very clever."
Does it surprise you?
"I think we have been playing better football in recent weeks. That already started in Leverkusen. Our selection is composed on football. So we have to play football."
It's not often that teams that are well ahead continue to play football so well.
"Well, I think that should always be the case. When you're ahead 3-1 you have to keep playing that football."
They haven't given up six goals in eight years. Dennis Man was partly responsible for that. Do you recognize his upward trajectory?
"As I've said many times before, you shouldn't write players off after a few weeks. New guys need adjustment time. He is a good player, with a great kick. You saw that again today."
Guus Til was a striker, but did not score. Nevertheless, he was very important. Did you expect that?
"That sticks with him. Guus has been making almost the most minutes played for three years. Yet you see him as a substitute, but he's not. He had a click with Luuk and now he has a click with Ismael. That is only possible if you are a good football player. That pays off on the pitch."
How do you rate the game of Ryan Flamingo, who played at a different position than usual?
"Admirable. He didn't play in his spot, but he knows that position. Still, it's very clever that he fills it in that way. I considered putting Mauro there and Ryan centrally. In consultation with my three captains, I adjusted as little as possible."
How do you view the remainder of the schedule now?
"When you see that draw beforehand you wonder if we, with the new group we have, can keep up. Well that first match was a bad final, but in Germany we already played very well. After today I can say: we can compete at this level."