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Skibbe: Thank Goodness For Adler

Bayer Leverkusen trainer Michael Skibbe has seen some of the pressure lifted from him after his side’s 2-0 win over Hansa Rostock pushed the Werkself back into the Uefa Cup qualification places.

Two penalties, one from Simon Rolfes and the other from Gonzalo Castro fired Bayer to a much needed victory which condemned Hansa to second division football next season.

Skibbe had come under pressure earlier in the week after Leverkusen suffered their second successive loss, but their chances of making it into Europe next season now rest on their final game of the season against Werder Bremen.

“It was a great relief that in the final moments when Hansa had their good chances, that we had a man like Rene Adler in goal. Overall I am pleased with the performance of my team” Skibbe explained.

“The pressure was on them because of their previous results, but they went about their task well.

“The Bundesliga fans can’t ask for better than the current situation. The fight for European places is going to go right down to the wire.”

Rostock trainer Frank Pagelsdorf was down after seeing his side relegated, but was buoyed by the home fans reaction.

“Two things were obvious: We lacked the piercing edge in the first half and we let in some cheap goals” he said.

“But I must compliment the fans for the way they have supported their team. Of course we are all very sad, but it is fantastic the way in which our fans have celebrated today.”

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