How satisfied are you with the result, performance, and getting through with a game to spare?
“Very. It’s not easy to win here as you can see from the record they have and the quality of the team. We had to play well and I thought we did. We created some good chances in the first half and were unlucky not to go more than 1-0 up.
"Then one action, with the quality at this level, and it’s 1-1. I thought out response was really good then so I am delighted to go through, delighted with the performance of the players: I thought they were fantastic tonight. To go through with a game to spare is brilliant considering where we started the competition.”
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How important can Kai Havertz’s goal be for him?
“His quality is there; he’s an incredibly talented player. He’s been nearly there and obviously, scoring a goal like that is bound to help. I wouldn’t be able to score a goal like that to be fair, I can only imagine! It’s a fantastic strike and an indication of the quality he has. So I’m really pleased for him.”
Did we see flashes of the standard you want to achieve in attack in the first half?
“It’s not easy to create chances against this team because defensively they are so intense and aggressive. I thought we did create some good chances from good play. We’ve had a lot of games and a little bit of disruption in terms of some key players missing, but credit to the boys they’ve responded really well.
"They’ve picked up points in the Premier League and to go through like we have in the Champions League is a fantastic effort from everybody. We will take steps, it will not be a straight road, unfortunately. But we will take steps and tonight was one I think.”
Did the attacking play show the benefit of having Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic as wing-backs?
“The idea, because of how Red Bull defend, they often give you the opposite space. So if you can get the ball out to someone good in one-vs-one situations, you can have an advantage potential. But also, it makes them stretch across the pitch and open up games in their very organised line. I worked quite well today and I’m pleased for the boys.”
Is the concern that you couldn’t kill the game off in the first half, wastefulness has been a problem for this team even before you arrived?
“I can’t comment on anything before I was here. All I can say is it’s good that we create chances and perform well. Then you back the quality of the players that the more they get there, the more chances we create, then the quality will come through. So it’s not so much of a concern.”
You’re now through to the knockout stage, how have you found the experience of catching in the Champions League so far?
“It’s a top competition. It’s amazing and fantastic to be involved in, a real test against some fantastic team and a great experience coming to these venues and experiencing an away match in the Champions League. It’s tough and challenging, but I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Is there any worry for Salzburg that next week against Dinamo Zagreb, Chelsea won’t be playing at full throttle now you’re through?
“We’re at home at Stamford Bridge and we’ll try our very best. We want to win every game we play, that is the mentality we have to have. But clearly, we have a game at the weekend and another game the weekend after, so maybe we can rotate a little bit. But we will try our best.”
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