In the first match of the Europa League group stage, AFC Bournemouth defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 away from home, securing a victory in their first official European match in the club's history. After the match, Scott was interviewed and discussed the team's second-half performance, the importance of holding onto the victory, and upcoming topics including the Liverpool match and England squad selections.

Alex, that must be incredible, right? Even though you're exhausted.

Yes, very exhausted, I'm completely done. It was a very difficult battle. This was our first European match, and we knew we'd give our best. In the end, we got the result we wanted. The last 10 minutes were a bit tense, but everyone gritted their teeth and held on to the victory.

You really held firm until the end, and the goalkeeper saved the team once or twice.

Yes. That last save, I think I was really daydreaming at the back post, so I definitely owe him one. He's a world-class goalkeeper, and he's helped us stay in many matches. Of course, he made a mistake last week, but that's normal, that's football. He has a great mentality and knows how to bounce back from mistakes. He certainly did that today.

For a young player, I don't know if you've really thought about all of this over the last few days, or even last night. It's like a dream, isn't it?

To be honest, looking at the ages of some players now, I don't feel that young anymore. But yes, it's certainly very exciting. The anticipation has been there since we qualified last season.

But for us, we feel we belong here. Especially given last season's performance, I think we've earned our place in this competition. Today we also showed the level we can reach. Hopefully, we can continue with this performance.

You had a fantastic start, didn't you? I imagine that's the beginning everyone wanted.

Yes, I think we always start matches very quickly and we do well in that regard. But our second-half performance wasn't particularly good again, and that's something we definitely need to analyze and address seriously. Similar situations have occurred in Premier League matches.

However, we know that playing away will definitely be difficult, so we have to get into the match quickly from the start and play aggressively. I think, especially in the first 25 minutes, we showed how eager we were to play well in this match. We scored in the first half.

At halftime, we also discussed how 2-0 is probably the most dangerous scoreline in any competition. So the second half was really very difficult. But as I just said, we gritted our teeth and held on to the victory.

I think the reason the final stages were even more difficult was because similar situations happened in earlier Premier League matches, where you paid the price for conceding late goals.

Of course. But when we're really playing out there, I don't think those things are constantly on our minds. But it's true, this has been a recurring situation for us in the Premier League this season. So it's good to hold on today, not concede late goals, and get this victory.

Apart from the League Cup, this is our first European victory, which is very important for us. We hope to carry this performance into Sunday.

Sunday's match is also important, right? That's what a successful team faces when playing in Europe. Now you're facing Iraola and Liverpool again.

Yes, for us, playing on Thursday and then again on Sunday is obviously still a new schedule. And our former manager is returning, so it will be a big game. Liverpool is a very good team, we know that very well.

But for us, it's now about recovering well and then preparing to fight again. I think we're a team that can handle this situation; we have a very good squad. If necessary, we can also rotate. Either way, we'll be ready by Sunday.

One last question, I remember Thomas Tuchel will announce England's squad tomorrow. Do you have anything to say to us? Or not?

I don't know anything. Of course, I hope to be selected. Every time I'm asked this question, I say the same thing. Being in the England squad has always been my dream. I hope to get a call-up to England. But if not, I'll continue to play the best I can. I hope to make the England squad in the future.

Traduzido por IA.

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