Tuchel: 'I'm happy with the spirit the lads showed'

Thomas Tuchel

We worked very hard on pressing high up the pitch early in the match. We did it very well and winning back possession enabled us to score the first two goals. That was a real positive for us tonight. But we also lost more players to injury after already missing a lot of players, and that's why I'm very happy with the character and spirit of the team because they never stopped fighting. Rennes are a very good side that are also playing in the Champions League and we really had our last available guys on the pitch, and for some of them it was really asking a lot and they are exhausted. Take Leandro Paredes for example, or Ander Herrera, it was too much to ask them to play 90 minutes tonight but they did it and they never stopped giving everything for Angel and Rafinha and it was really a great victory.

Layvin Kurzawa

The coach's instructions were to win, first and foremost. That was the first order. We knew it was going to be a difficult match against a very good side with very fast and technical players up front and a very strong eleven. I think we did the job and we won 3-0 and it was a great win for us. It was the first time I'd ever played on the right of a three-man defence - I played on the left of a three-man defence when I came on against Nantes last weekend - but I felt good. It's true I asked the coach if I could swap with Abdou Diallo and move on to the left at half-time, but the coach said he had confidence in me and I also had confidence in myself to play this position on my weaker foot, but I think it went well and I'm happy.

Rafinha

Rennes are a very good side, a team playing in the Champions League and it was a very difficult match. It was a very physical match against a very strong side and we are very happy to have claimed the three points. I need to be ready for anything given the current situation. Three days after the Champions League, we were able to play this match and show what we can do and play with good intensity.