Interview

Kolasinac on the Rennes victory and his own form

Sead Kolasinac

Sead Kolasinac continued his fine form with another assist against Rennes on Thursday night.

Our rampaging full back delivered a first-time cross right into Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s path, for our striker to fire home his second goal of the evening and secure our place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

 

Kolasinac spoke to the media after the game. This is what he had to say:

BOUNCING BACK

“We didn’t put ourselves in a good position at the end of that first leg. Having said that, I think that away goal was crucial for us. It was difficult for us because we had to play with 10 men for about 50 minutes of that first game as well. We made it difficult, but we knew how strong we are at home and we deservedly went through.

 

“We knew that we put ourselves in a difficult position. As I said it is hard when you play with 10 men for about 50 minutes or so. But we always knew there was another game, a home game for us, and we believed in ourselves. That shone through.

 

“It’s really important to have a good quarter-final first leg, obviously it’s always very difficult when you lose the first game. We are aware of that, it’s not something we want to do of course. It is something we are going to work on in the next round. Of course the key will be to start better than we have in these last two ties.”

STRENGTH OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE

“I think it characterises us and it characterises this league at the moment as well that all six teams have got through to the quarter-finals. It proves that when people say the Premier League is the best league around, they are not saying it for free. I think it makes the Premier League very interesting and we’re of course proud to have progressed in the Europa League.

 

“It will be tough to get into the top four but look we have got eight games still go and will get as many points as we can. There is a lot of football still to be played. But we are in the top four at the moment and that is where we want to stay.”

Europa League draw UPDATE

PERSONAL FORM

“I am firstly just happy to help the team really. I think at the moment as a side we are playing really well. We are playing nice football. We are quite compact. I don’t want to talk too much about myself because I think at the moment as a team we are in good form. We are playing well and we are hoping we can continue it after the international break as well.

 

“I don’t think the international break has come at the wrong time. I think it is something we are used to, occasionally you have to go and represent your national team. Sometimes it can actually be quite good to go and see your national team colleagues as well. To be honest, I don’t think it will take us out of our rhythm.”