Kovac: "We couldn't have done it alone" | OneFootball

Hans-Joachim Watzke (on Sky): "We've overcome the trauma of Mainz. We've now been in the Champions League ten times in a row. It would have been frustrating if we hadn't made it into the Champions League in the year I retired. But the boys and the coaching staff did a good job. I looked at the table on Matchday 26 again before the game: what we have achieved looked impossible. It's extraordinary. We sensibly focused on the things that football boils down to: running, tackling, attacking - and success comes when you have a good team."

Lars Ricken (on Sky): "We were 11th a few months ago and then Niko came in. I've been at BVB for a very long time, and with apologies to other coaches, I think what Niko has done here is one of the greatest coaching achievements in BVB's history. But the team also took responsibility for themselves after Nuri was released. It can't always just be the coach. The players have shown in the last few games that they want to play for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League next year. Thanks also go to the players who are now standing here on the pitch and celebrating this achievement. We're enjoying the here and now, then we'll have a few days off, then it's off to the Club World Cup and we'll think about things afterwards."

Sebastian Kehl (in the mixed zone): "It hasn't been an easy season for Borussia Dortmund, so of course the lads will be allowed to unwind a bit today. Thanks to Niko Kovac for the way he has led this team in recent weeks, with his calmness and experience. Borussia Dortmund are a great constant in Europe, but the road back to the Champions League has not been easy. And so my compliments to Niko and the coaching staff. The direction we've taken will go some way to paving the way for the coming season."

Niko Kovac (on Sky): "It's always nice to receive praise, especially from the people in charge at the club. But we couldn't have done it alone. We've performed very well in the last eight games. I don't want to overstate things, I'm happy, but we don't have to celebrate now. We only finished fourth. We achieved the minimum target, which was difficult enough because we were 11th when we started. And the fact that we're now fourth is a great achievement."

Emre Can (on Sky): "We're very happy with fourth place when you consider how the season has gone. We always want to play in Europe's elite. The Champions League is simply the highest level. But we didn't want to have such a rollercoaster season. Niko is someone who pays attention to the little things. Whether it's in the warm-up or before the game, he makes sure everyone is switched on and focused. A bit old school, I would say. He sees a lot, he knows when it's time to speak up. He's helped us a lot."

Julian Brandt (on Sky): "We made life difficult for ourselves by overcomplicating things. But the game couldn't have got off to a better start for us. We had a lot of space after the red card. But when we have a lot of time, we overthink, make the wrong decisions and play hesitantly and slowly. It was tough in the first half. In the second, we pulled ourselves together and things went a bit more smoothly."Transcribed by Boris Rupert