Van Gaal: We’re through, which is what matters

The Bayern camp is rarely delighted after a defeat, but Tuesday’s 3-2 reverse in Florence was an exception. “We can live with it,“ said director of sport Christian Nerlinger after FCB claimed a place in the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals. “We’re through, which is what matters,“ summarised Louis van Gaal. A strong team display and the atrocious conditions were also talking points afterwards.

Reaction to Fiorentina v Bayern:

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “We’ve witnessed a very turbulent game. The first reaction is elation at making it through to the last eight. That was our target, and that’s what should be expected of us. We defended poorly for their first and third goals. There were individual mistakes, so they were avoidable goals.“

Christian Nerlinger: “It was a very exciting match, and although we’ve lost, it’s a defeat we can live with. We’re just delighted to be through to the next round. This team has resolve and character, and always manages a fightback. That’s how we kept finding a way back into the game and why we deserve to go through. There’s a lot of quality in the team. We’re in the last eight now, and that’s a great achievement.“

Louis van Gaal: “We’re through, which is what matters in the Champions League. I always had a good feeling about it. At half-time, I told my players to stay calm, be patient and keep the ball on the floor. We played well in the circumstances, but made too many individual errors in defence.“