Ralf Kellermann admitted his side lacked their typical confidence in the opening 45 minutes, allowing Schalke to remain competitive despite an early deficit. The manager noted that the team’s usual composure was absent, but he expressed satisfaction with the tactical shift in the second half. Kellermann specifically highlighted Alex Popp’s performance, stating that she was outstanding and delivered the crucial moments that secured the win for the squad.
Manager Kellermann praises Alex Popp’s decisive impact after a shaky first half.
Markus Högner provided a detailed breakdown of the match dynamics, acknowledging that while his team started strong with a three-minute goal, they struggled to maintain control after the ten-minute mark. He cited simple mistakes as the primary reason for the lack of dominance, noting that the team had too few spells of true possession. However, Högner emphasized the turning point in the second half, where Popp’s late goal to make it 3–0 provided a massive relief. He described Popp as an “exceptional player” and the clear match-winner, pointing to her recent trend of scoring decisive goals, including the opener, before the team added a fourth late on.
Alexandra Popp expressed her personal satisfaction with the result in the mixed zone, describing herself as “very happy” with the team’s performance. Her comments underscored the importance of her contribution to the final scoreline, which proved pivotal in a match where the team initially struggled to find its rhythm. The reaction from both management and players confirms Popp’s status as the standout performer, whose ability to deliver under pressure has become a defining feature of the team’s recent successes.
Source: Yahoo Sports
