Here are the post-match interviews with our protagonists on the pitch: midfielders Marten de Roon and Remo Freuler and forward Jérémie Boga.

Remo Freuler

Remo Freuler, it’s always difficult to speak after a loss. You gave it your all. You tried hard to qualify but it didn’t happen. The fans gave you due credit, anyway, breaking out in applause.

“We have nothing to add about the fans as they’re extraordinary. We can only thank them. I’m happy that the stadium capacity has been restored to 100%. But I’m also very disappointed as we didn’t manage to win against a team that was within our reach. The little things made a difference. We’re really disappointed.

Exactly, Remo, little things… Even though you were determined and eager to win this match.

“We were very eager to win. We took the field and immediately attacked. We did well. But then that goal, I don’t know, knocked us out. But we struggled anyway and tried to score. But at this moment we have difficulties in scoring. I can’t say anything else as we’re really disappointed and were eliminated tonight”.

Remo, you have to turn the page now. You must do it because it’s true that you’re far from a Champions League spot you’re within reach of the Europa League area, though.

“Yes, [we must do it] quickly. The race for European qualification is still on. Of course, we gave a very poor performance in the second half of the season. We’re unsatisfied. Now we have seven matches to catch up. We want to win as much as possible. We must do it for our fans as well”.

Marten de Roon

Marten de Roon, it’s difficult to speak after such a match, isn’t it?

“It’s very difficult. I’m not even capable of analysing the match. We’re very disappointed. We’re tired. It’s very impressive when the fans give you such a boost. But it hurts”.

Freuler said that it was the little things to make a difference in Atalanta v Leipzig.

“Yes, little details. At such a level, it’s the little things that decide a match. There, in Leipzig, where we had to win, we didn’t. And here we conceded a goal quickly. In the beginning, we searched for a goal and played in their own half of the pitch, above all. We weren’t clear-headed enough with the final passes. We kept on approaching their box. Never a good opportunity, though. Little details… They went on the counter, especially after making it 1-0, there was an incredibly big space, where their fast players were dangerous. It was hard. We hold out well enough. But, in the end, the 2-0 hurts”.

What did the referee tell you in regard to the penalty? The VAR called him to review it but then [the referee] confirmed his choice, i.e. not to give the penalty.

“He said that, to his mind, the hand was close to the body. We told him [the referee] that he [Olmo] turned around. It means that he put the arm like that [showing]. With that distance, I don’t think it was possible to turn it away. Otherwise… I think that was a penalty. But I haven’t seen it yet. We could have done better to create chances, in the end”.

Marten, now the focus shifts onto Verona and other matches that remain till the end of the season, as you’re still within reach of the spots that grant European qualification.

“Yes, tonight and tomorrow morning we’ll still be disappointed then we’ll have to react, pick ourselves up, It’s too important now not to throw it all away. There are 7 important matches left. We must play each one as if it were a final. It’s too amazing to play in European competitions. We want to reach that goal. It will be difficult as we’re far behind. But we’ll do everything to reach this goal”.

Jérémie Boga

Jérémie Boga, what a pity at the end of this match against Leipzig! The qualification was within your reach. But it was the German side to go through.

“Yes, today we’re sad. We could have done much better. We made too many mistakes when we had the chance to score. We created many goalscoring chances. It’s the bright side of the match. But we could have been more efficient up front. I for one should be more efficient. I think it’s the thing we have to work on together”.

We can also say that Atalanta weren’t lucky either. There was an incident that caused controversy. It could have awarded you a penalty and the opportunity to equalise.

“Yes, I don’t think they deserved more than us, but they got a goal when they had to. It made a difference. Now we’ll work on the league which is very important”.