Norwich City defender Christoph Zimmermann made his first senior appearance since August in Wednesday’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Liverpool.
“Overall, the performance was alright,” he told canaries.co.uk. “We can be happy with what we put on the pitch but not the result. Still, it’s a decent performance and I’m pleased to see that we stayed in the game for a very long time, right until the end. We got back into it after being 2-0 down.
“When you’re 2-0 down at Anfield at half-time, it can go anywhere, but I’m happy the guys showed character and Lukas scored a great goal to get us back in the game.
“I love to see how brave we were in the second half, pressing them high. I sometimes feel like it’s good for us to think that we have nothing to lose and then we can just commit. We’re always better when we do it that way on the front foot.
“Even though we were pressing high and risking a bit more, in the last 30 minutes they didn’t have many clear cut chances. They had their counters but we defended them in the end. It showed that we can afford to be brave and press high and trust that we can defend at the back and that makes us a better team.
“I’m happy that we never had the attitude of being 2-0 down and just wanting to focus on the league and give it away. We showed character throughout the whole game, so I’m pleased with that reaction and we have to take the positives going into the league for our last games of the season.”
With just under 15 minutes remaining, City pulled one back as Rupp, who hadn’t started a game since November, smashed the ball into the bottom left corner.
“So so pleased for him,” Zimmermann said. “He’s been working so well. When he was in rehab, he was very keen to be back fit as soon as possible. He just had one or two training sessions before the Southampton game and was one of the subs being used.
“He played most of the game today and scored a goal, that shows he’s important for us and we need a player like him on the pitch. He can really effect our game in a very positive way and he did today.
“I’m very pleased to get the 90 minutes. It felt good to be back out there. I enjoyed the reception I got from the supporters before the game and the appreciation after the game. That’s what I’m playing for.
“Everybody knows how much I appreciate being here and being given the chance to play on the top level. I’m very happy that I can do that on the pitch again and not just in the gym!”
Lastly, Zimmermann had a message for the Norwich supporters travelling back from Merseyside.
“11 days ago when we travelled here and there was a storm, we couldn’t fly so we travelled on the coach,” he said. “It’s a long journey. I’m pleased we just had to do it one way and not both ways, so I can only half imagine what they’re going through just to see us play here.
“I’m happy we gave them a good fight to see and I hope they’ll be pleased with the performance, not with the outcome. I thank them for their support and I hope we can keep that going throughout the end of the season. We need it and that’s what will carry us, it can be one of the decisive factors to make us stay in this league.”