FC Bayern faced Arsenal in the Champions League. Here you can read all the comments and reactions to the quarter-final first leg.
London – Heidenheim is followed by Arsenal. FC Bayern wanted to forget the Bundesliga embarrassment in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League at Arsenal. This was largely successful, Bayern overturned an early deficit and managed a 2-2 draw in the end. After the game, coach Thomas Tuchel was angry about a missed hand penalty.
We summarize all the voices surrounding FC Bayern's quarter-final first leg at Arsenal:
Thomas Tuchel (FC Bayern coach) after the game on Amazon Prime about...
...the game:
“I think we could have won. We didn't get a 100% hand penalty, that hurts. It was difficult against Arsenal, below average refereeing.”
...his criticism of the referee:
“All the little things only went in one direction. Any physical contact. The Arsenal players could complain however they wanted. That was a hand penalty and he tells me it was a “kids mistake”. That's unbelievable.”
Arsenal had taken a goal kick, shortly before the referee's whistle sounded. An Arsenal player then picked up the ball in the penalty area, which is why the Bayern players complained about handball.
...the reaction against Arsenal:
“We knew that we had to play better than in Heidenheim, that was necessary. The starting position is clear, we have to win, then we can move forward.”
...the many counterattacks:
“It’s part of it. It's either very high pressing or deeper, and we did that well. We are very dangerous in transition, we have been doing that very well all season.”
...Leroy Sane's performance:
“Very, very good. I felt like he was limping a bit, so I took him out. Unfortunately, Serge (Gnabry; editor's note) was injured. Hamstring. He’s definitely out.”
...the penalty scene involving Neuer shortly before the end:
“I only saw it from further away. His leg is way too far away, he runs into Manuel Neuer.”
Max Eberl (FC Bayern sports director) after the game in the mixed zone...
...the missed hand penalty:
“We should also discuss the penalty scene that Arsenal made, that was an interesting handball. So the referee blows his whistle, the goalkeeper pushes the ball to the fielder and takes it into his hand, that's a penalty. And then the statement, well, I can't give the quarter-finals such a penalty. Excuse me. It’s not my fault, so it’s not our fault.”
...the penalty scene shortly before the end:
“That's why, and he saw Manuel Neuer's thing relatively quickly, that was nothing. Manuel stands, the other hooks it, but that wasn't a penalty.”
...Leroy Sané:
“Of course I hoped so because Leroy has incredible potential. And if he fulfills his potential, he can become one of the best players in the world.”
...the early substitution of Sané and the injury to Gnabry:
“Yes, we experienced exactly what we wanted to avoid with Serge. That you had to let someone play a lot coming back from injury. Now he's hurting himself again. And of course you wanted that with Leroy, he had already taken him out beforehand. He has been struggling with Malez all season. You just didn't want to take the risk. That’s why I think it’s absolutely right, we need the boys in the second leg too.”
...Thomas Tuchel:
“He has the team, I said that yesterday, even if the questions come again, will he still make the team? I think that was proof today that he's making the team. The way he adjusted, the way we scored, that was the plan. And how we defended, how actively we put pressure on certain players, that was also the plan. If you implement the team like that, then you get a result like this.”
...the adult performance:
“You’re not coming into the game well. You're 1-0 behind relatively quickly and with the results we had before, something like that can of course go the other way very quickly. Then they resisted it, even if we swam a bit during that phase. But then we make it 1-1 and from then on you were in the game. Then you weren't dominant yet, but at least you had your actions, defended yourself. When one was played out, the other was there. Half, half of the balls, which were all lost against Heidenheim, are then on your side because you invest in them. And at the same time you also played football well. You've had your counterattacks, you still have Leroy's situation, where you can say a smart player slows down a bit and see what happens then. But you did, that's what I mean by grown up. The stadium also grew up, which of course created incredible energy here. You were alone, more or less, so I think it was a mature performance after what we showed in the last two Bundesliga games.”
...the future question from Alphonso Davies and a possible influence:
“It's actually not allowed. I think that of course, Arsenal especially through Saka, through Ben White and also Odegaard, who falls to the side, the three of them keep turning, it's not that easy, Serge did that very, very well. Of course, Phonzie had his issues with Saka at the beginning, but several defenders have this issue with Saka. But in the second half, I think Fonsi became much more stable, hardly got into any strange situations and I can't say what that has to do with why the last few weeks haven't been so good.
...the second leg:
“Well, we've now played a half, as they say, we've played a half, we're now bringing home a good result. We will need the spectators now that we are left here alone because no one was allowed to come with us. We are of course happy now at home in the Allianz Arena and with the support of the people and today's performance. Good result on Saturday, I don't want to forget that completely. Then the second leg on Wednesday, we can look forward to that.”
...the end of the Tuchel discussion:
“I don't know whether it's over because I'll be asked later whether I'll be on the bench in the second leg. I just said something about that. It's a bit strange to me how the team and the coach have been dealt with and fit together and function. We saw that again today. You've made a decision for summer and then you should just leave things as they are and not ask every two days, is he still, isn't he, can he still be, how much longer, when will he be gone? That's what I think, I understand, that's the task and the questions have to be asked and people in the world are also interested in this question. But after a performance like that, I think you should also say, hey, chapeau for the coach’s performance with the team.”
...the Cologne game
: “I expect that the team, and they showed that today, I also expect that the team will show such a mature performance on Saturday against Cologne, because that will be mature in the next step. But as I said, the boys know what it’s about, and that’s why I hope and believe that it will be different on Saturday than last Saturday.”
...the decision on the coaching question:
“We get the coach for FC Bayern and FC Bayern decides. Now there are people who are responsible for this and they will then determine the trainer we choose. Bayern Munich is looking for a coach, not Max Eberl or NN is looking for a coach, but Bayern Munich needs a new coach. And there are responsibilities, so we can draw organizational charts like that, there are responsibilities as to who is looking for the trainer. And this is a regulating sport. But of course, at every club people also have to say about the supervisory board, hey, yes, that's fine. But if we have chosen one, with all the strengths and weaknesses that we have then shown, and they are rejected in droves, then I would be in a lot of place.
Thomas Müller (FC Bayern player) after the game in the mixed zone about...
...the hand penalty that wasn't given:
“I don't know whether he's allowed to ignore the laws. That's just something that you have to hold on to. That's what can be decisive and we actually can't put up with it.
...today's attitude:
“Please leave out the boulevard. I know you live from it and the whole industry works like that, but we can also concentrate on the sport and less on what he said, that said, but we can also watch the game and try to interpret it. There are always different phases and today we play 2-2. I'm quite happy that we're going to Munich now and have everything in our own stadium, in our own hands, but of course you can also look at it with a bit of humility. The King hits the post, I don’t know if it was offside before.”
Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern player) after the game on Amazon Prime about...
...the result:
“Based on how the game went, we have to be okay with that. We actually weren't playing perfectly in the first half, but we still went into the break with a 2-1 lead. In the second half we had more dangerous situations and had a shot on the post.”
...the potential penalty after a handball
: “I don’t know if you saw it on TV. For me that's a penalty. The referee whistles for the goal kick, the goalkeeper passes the ball to the defender, who takes the ball into his hands again and opens the game. Never seen it like this before. We made the referee aware of it. He said we're in the Champions League quarter-finals and he's not making such a childish mistake now. For me it’s not a child’s mistake, it’s a deciding factor in the game.”
...the penalty scene involving Neuer shortly before the end:
“It was difficult to see on the pitch. He just plays the ball away. Manu makes the move. I don't necessarily believe the movement in his foot now. For me it wasn’t an active foul move, but I didn’t see it perfectly.”
...FC Bayern's reaction after the last appearances:
“Yes, extremely important. Especially that we come back like this after 0-1. I think Leroy played a very, very large part in this. He had brutal actions, especially in the first half. He actually reacted offensively for us. Of course everyone did their part defensively. He repeatedly brought the game from defense to offense. He even makes it 1-0 by passing the ball to Leon. Was a very crucial player for us today.”
...why FC Bayern will make it to the next round:
“Because we are able to win at home against Arsenal. We have to do that too. The 2-2 draw means we can't play to a 0-0 draw. One thing is clear: we have to win and that’s what we’re doing.”
Max Eberl (sports director FC Bayern) before the game on Amazon Prime about...
...the Arsenal game after the Bundesliga defeats:
“It's definitely a different competition, we looked good there. We spoke out on Sunday. It feels good, a good energy. I’m sure we’ll see a different FC Bayern than in the Bundesliga.”
...the debate
: “That’s over now. We have to represent the club honorably. We have to and want to have this motivation.”
...Tuchel on whether he can still make the team:
“I understand that everything is put on the table. If simple mistakes happen, then you can be the best coach in the world and have the best tactics, the team has to take care of that on the pitch.”
...the plan with the new coach:
“If there is something, we will announce it. You are all eagerly waiting for it. We’re doing our job, we’re looking forward to the game today.”
...the chance against Arsenal:
“They know the competition, are very experienced, and have fought great battles. Today is a day to pull yourself out of the swamp. This is only possible as a collective, with support. It’s important to build up a barrier to avoid conceding a goal.”
...the thesis of going into the new season stronger:
“That is the task. Now try to get a few things done as best as possible. Then in the summer we shake ourselves up and reposition ourselves to act as a cohesive unit. Then I wish that the others have to dress warmly.”
...the new coach:
“We’re working on it, at some point the white smoke will rise.”
...Joshua Kimmich, who is hesitant about extending his contract:
“I can understand it to a certain extent, but you can also commit to the club where you have been playing for a long time. But of course a player wants to know who the new coach will be. For me it is not decisive or crucial that he makes this statement. I can understand it to a certain extent.”
Thomas Tuchel (FC Bayern coach) before the game on Amazon Prime about...
...the quarter-final against Manchester City a year ago, when he was “in love” with his team:
“We need the same performance, energy, but a different result. It didn't feel like 0-3. We already had a lack of concentration back then. At that time we were faced with a similar problem. Today everything is required of us and we will demand everything of ourselves.”
...the return of Manuel Neuer:
“Manuel is always important. He is our captain and has huge experience.”
...preparation for the duel with Arsenal:
“We had two meetings. It was a little longer than in the Bundesliga, which is normal. There is a lot of energy coming our way. They are currently on a very good run and deserve to be at the top of the table. We are prepared for it, including defensively. We need precision. First we need dedication, greed and passion, the basics that we have been missing lately.”
...the Bundesliga defeats recently:
“No matter how bitter it is, it’s over. The focus is on the future; competitive sport doesn't work any other way. It's a privilege to be here, we're in the last eight. We should take the freedom to enjoy it and this creates the obligation to deliver a top performance. I’m here for the win, nothing else.”