Following a demanding but successful Champions League trip to Moscow FCB are sitting pretty at the top of Group E with six points from two matches. “We were alert and controlled the match,” coach Pep Guardiola reflected after Bayern’s 100th victory in Europe’s elite club competition. The only sour point was the lack of atmosphere for the behind-closed-doors clash, an experience no-one involved wishes to repeat.
Reaction to CSKA v FCB
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “We can be pleased about coming away with the three points. We were a bit careless with our own chances, because we could have wrapped it up much earlier. It was strange because there was no atmosphere and no emotion. I’ve been in football 40 years and I’ve never experienced anything like it – and I hope I never experience it again.”
Pep Guardiola: “Two wins in two matches is a good outcome. We were alert and controlled the match. It’s always difficult against teams who defend like that. We were patient and we had the chances for more goals. It was odd with no fans in the stadium. It’s always better if the fans are there. Football is there for the people. I hope that what happened never happens again.”
Thomas Müller: “It was a strange game, not only due to the absence of a crowd but also due to our opponents’ tactics. The way CSKA played fitted well to the atmosphere at the stadium. It wasn’t easy for us and the opening goal was important. We could and should have scored a couple more goals in the course of the game, although Moscow were always dangerous on the break. So we go home feeling very satisfied. We’ve taken the three points, and that’s all there was to win tonight.”
Leonid Slutski (CSKA Moscow coach): “We used a different formation today with three centre-backs, but I can’t say our plan worked out. However, I think we had enough chances to have scored a goal.”
Topics of this article