It was a magical Champions League night: FC Bayern defeated Arsenal and moved into the semi-finals. The voices for the game.
Munich - Thomas Tuchel and FC Bayern went all-in - and won: With Arsenal FC, the Munich team got rid of a difficult problem and deservedly are in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
In addition to the game, the name Julian Nagelsmann was also omnipresent.
We have collected the most important voices from DAZN and the Mixed Zone.
Jan-Christian Dreesen (FC Bayern CEO) after the game in the mixed zone about...
… Julian Nagelsmann as the new Bayern coach:
“We’ll see if he becomes the new Bayern coach. Max Eberl has already said that we are talking to one or two candidates. But we don't want to talk about the coaching question today. We are delighted with Thomas Tuchel and the team that they have reached the CL semi-finals.”
Volker Struth, Julian Nagelsmann's advisor, had previously revealed on "Playmaker - the European Championship podcast from 360Media with Sebastian Hellmann" that there were talks between FC Bayern and the national coach about a return. Dreesen said: "I haven't seen the podcast yet." Max Eberl also revealed before the Arsenal game that there were conversations with Nagelsmann - in an indirect and possibly unwanted way
(see below).
Thomas Tuchel (coach FC Bayern) after the game about...
… the game:
“That was fun. The first half was a bit of a chess game: who will sacrifice the first pawn? Who makes the first mistake? We encouraged them and told them to show personality.”
… the question of which players he is particularly proud of:
“I am very proud of Konny
(Laimer, editor’s note)
. He stuck to Odegaard and played half-man coverage. And also Nous
(Mazraoui, editor's note)
, who played against Saka. You can never switch off against Arsenal. As a team we did very well.”
… Kimmich’s goal:
“Josh has the guts and self-confidence to run through it. Not typical for him, but his header technique is great.”
Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern) after the game about...
… the game:
“We showed a very good performance today and didn’t allow much. The discipline we showed today was crucial to us winning the game.”
… Bayern’s face in the CL compared to the Bundesliga:
“I don’t know if we have to talk about the league today. I'm happy and satisfied for now. These are special games and also special moments in the arena. We showed what we are capable of.”
… Kim as Mazraoui’s replacement:
“He’s not the classic left-back now. It was about making it 1-0 over time. I then sent him into the header duels.”
… a possible German CL final:
“Dortmund and we have to do our homework. But yes, of course I wouldn’t mind.”
Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern) after the game about...
… the team performance against Arsenal:
“Outstanding. The second half was very, very good. We deserve to move on. The first half was very nervous for both teams. Arsenal wanted to control the game but were afraid of our counterattacks. After 1-0 we can improve. We played better in the second half.”
… his header goal:
“I was a bit lucky that no one felt responsible for me. And then I stood there.”
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal FC coach) after the game about...
…the defeat:
“We were very dominant in the first half. Unfortunately, we didn't have the moment when it clicked. You need that in a game like this. We have to congratulate Bayern.”
… the goal conceded:
“This is a situation that we have to defend better.”
Max Eberl (sports director FC Bayern) before the game about ...
… the last hours before a day like this:
“You don’t need to talk to the players, they are tense and focused. You try to distract yourself a bit and then enjoy the last few hours.”
… the Leverkusen championship:
“There was a very, very deserving champion with Bayer Leverkusen. But of course the sting runs deep. We want to do a good job in the summer so that we can attack again next year.”
… the search for a coach:
“I haven't commented on any names yet, and I won't now either. We want to do our job as quickly as possible. Now it goes into the final phase. Today, to be honest, I didn't give it any thought, I was just looking forward to the game."
... possibly necessary "peace talks" with Nagelsmann after his expulsion:
"I didn't have a fight with Julian, so there was no need for peace talks."
( Eberl speaks in the past tense - and thereby indirectly confirms for the first time that he has already had discussions with Nagelsmann)
Thomas Tuchel (FC Bayern coach) before the game about...
… his emotional state before the game:
“The anticipation couldn’t be greater. That's why we do all this. This is the game you dream about as a little boy. It is a great gift, a privilege. We feel ready.”
… his expectations of the team:
“We can’t switch off for a second. We have to defend extremely well and be hardworking. At this level you need everything – for the entire playing time.”
… the use of Noussair Mazraoui in the left-back position:
“He played in the national team and played very good games for us in the Champions League. He's not usually one to be nervous. He’s right-footed, which isn’t a bad fit against Saka.”
… Thomas Müller’s bankroll:
“The left side is your dangerous side. We decided on Rapha
(Guerreiro, editor's note)
, that wasn't Thomas' role to play half left-back. I think Rapha is doing it well.”
(epp/kk)