"We showed heart!”

What a battle! Hertha had to fight their way past third-tier side SV Meppen in the DFB-Pokal first round. But the Old Lady showed patience and reaped the reward when Davie Selke headed home the winner in the 91st minute. "I think you saw what a load the goal took off our shoulders. SV Meppen were classic cup opponents, they had no pressure on them and the fans spurred them forward,” said the goalscorer at full-time. herthabsc.com sums up the match reaction.

Prince: We showed a lot of good things but we were lost at sea at times too – but we showed heart! Nothing ever comes easy in the cup. Anyone who thinks that us Bundesliga clubs will face a team from a lower division and just win 3-0 has no idea about football. We have to stop talking about what league teams are in. They are all sides who will prepare well for the job at hand. In the Pokal and in football in general, anything is possible. Meppen got stuck in and gave it their all, so it was a difficult game for us. The most important thing, though, is that we won the game, nobody got injured and we are through to the next round. We got about well and helped each other out. Unfortunately we just lacked goals. But we created chances and we have to keep doing that. Next week is the start of the Bundesliga and we are looking forward to that. It was great to run out there in a competitive game for the first time since my return to Hertha. That's exactly what I've been dreaming of this whole time.

Davie Selke: You saw what a load the goal took off our shoulders. SV Meppen were classic cup opponents, they had no pressure on them, they played above themselves and the fans spurred them forward – it was tough for us. It was massively important for us to avoid extra-time and that we got the reward in the end after a good preseason. That will give us fuel for the games to come!