Speaking in a post-match interview with Sky , Nuri Sahin discussed both the exciting final day in Hoffenheim and the season as a whole. "Even in the deepest crisis back in 2005, I've never experienced this kind of turbulence here at BVB," said Sahin, who did not hold back as he criticised himself and the team as a whole. "We need to be very honest: this year we simply didn't deserve higher than fourth. Each of us needs to take a look in the mirror and ask ourselves what went wrong."

Nuri Sahin on the close finish to the season:

"It was a difficult season. In the end I'm happy we managed to get it over the finish line. It's clear that we're not satisfied. Now we need to be self-critical; a year like this must not be allowed to happen again. In the end, despite not frequently playing high-quality football, we managed to get the points and that sufficed for fourth place. I won't apologise for that."

…on a fourth-place finish:

"Now we need to analyse that, everyone needs to take a look at themselves and a sense of calm needs to return. We need to get closer to the fans again too. We had major problems in the first half of the season but then managed to get them under control. We must be quite honest: this year we didn't deserve higher than fourth place. For that reason, we now need to ask ourselves lots of questions. Even if it was an incredibly turbulent year."

"Everyone needs to look in the mirror"

…on a turbulent season at BVB:

"Even in the deepest crisis back in 2005, I've never experienced this kind of turbulence here at BVB. An extremely large number of things occurred: a bomb attack, two changes in coach, Auba, Dembélé, and much more. Just a lot of things going on on the sidelines that didn't make it easier. Nonetheless, every one of us now needs to look in the mirror and ask themselves what went wrong." (djg)