Salzburg bask in UEFA Youth League glory
Monday, April 24, 2017
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Hannes Wolf said Salzburg produced "two perfect games" in Nyon, while captain Sandro Ingolitsch and coach Marco Rose agreed that the Austrian side were worthy champions.
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Marco Rose, Salzburg coach
We knew it would be different to the Barcelona match. We had some problems getting into the game, but in the second half, until the 80th minute, we were the better team. We dominated and scored the equaliser, although we had a bit of luck with the substitutions. We got the second goal and fought thereafter. I'm really proud of my guys – we're really happy to take home the trophy to Austria.
We improved throughout the season. We had a lot of special games against tough opponents [Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona], so it's OK for the players to be 1-0 down. They really wanted this trophy, but of course you need a bit of luck at the right time and we had it.
Sandro Ingolitsch, Salzburg captain
It's an unbelievable feeling. We've worked very hard in the past few months and did a really good job today. It was a tough match, but in the second half we played good football and deserved to win. We have a great mentality in the team. That was evident in the last two matches when we were 1-0 down. The key was that we believed in ourselves and fought all the way.
It's difficult to come on as a substitute, but [goalscorers] Daka Patson and Alexander Schmidt were great. They're important players for us and I'm happy that they scored the goals.
Hannes Wolf, Salzburg winger
It's unbelievable. The first half wasn't so good, but in the second we played very well. In Patson and Schmidt the coach put the right players on. These were two perfect games for us because in both we were 1-0 down. We won both matches, that was very strong from the team, and we deserved it.
João Tralhão, Benfica coach
We knew Salzburg were a tough side but we played very well. We could have won, we should have won – we were the better team. My players did very well and demonstrated our capabilities. They fought, but today they just didn't have luck on their side. Two moments decided the game, so congratulations to Salzburg because they worked hard throughout the competition.
Salzburg are a very strong team and they pushed us in some moments of the game, but we should've controlled those moments. Those five minutes [when Salzburg scored twice] defeated us.