Kasper Hjulmand faced the media after Bayer Leverkusen were victorious over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, thanks to goals in either half from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrick Schick.
It was the first-ever encounter between the sides, and it was a historic win for the German outfit against one of the most successful teams in Europe in recent times.
Hjulmand has done a sterling job since being appointed in September, and he praised the character and development of the team.
He said: “A difficult place to play and first of all, of course, we are so happy with this win, but not only the win also the character the team showed. I have great respect for the players and the team.
“We are building a team here, and I think this night is a night to remember and is fuel for our development.”
After being winless in their first three Champions League games, Leverkusen have now won back-to-back games in Europe and their chances of making the round of 16 look much stronger.
The Danish manager emphasised, however, that they wouldn’t get ahead of themselves despite the recent positive results.
The 53-year-old said: “It looks better than two games ago, we have had a win in Benfica and now here in Manchester City – two very difficult places to play. It looks better, but it’s still a very complicated tournament. We take it one game at a time.
“We are optimistic, and we believe in it. A game like this tonight and the one in Lisbon, of course, gives us a lot of confidence. It’s more about the way we want to play, and the quality in the team that it’s clear for everyone that we have this quality and we can still learn a lot and do even better.”
Ernest Poku was one of the many players integral to Leverkusen’s victory, and slotting in in the right-wing-back position, Hjulmand was full of praise for the Dutchman and how he dealt with two of the trickiest wingers in Europe in Savinho and Jérémy Doku, as well as his versatility.
“Poku did very, very well, I think, even when Doku came in, and with his speed. He’s a winger, not much of a defender, but tonight he was also a defender, so he did very well,” he said.
“It’s nice to see players develop in different positions. For me, it’s so important that we have players who can play different positions, which allows us to be flexible in the way we want to play.”
Bayer Leverkusen will be hoping to continue their rich vein of form after four wins from their last four in all competitions as they host Borussia Dortmund at 5:30 pm GMT on Saturday.