FC Bayern powered into the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to a blistering 7-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Round of 16 second leg. “The course of the match was excellent for us,” observed Thomas Müller, who opened the scoring with an early penalty. Olexandr Kucher’s dismissal after three minutes for the offence leading to the spot-kick meant the Ukrainians contested practically the whole match with ten men, “and obviously that’s a bit easier,” noted boss Pep Guardiola. “We totally dominated the game. Congratulations to my team.”
Reaction to FCB v Donetsk
Matthias Sammer: “I was more calm at 2-0, and at 3-0 I was fairly certain we’d go through. We’ve made the next round and now have to wait and see who we get in the draw.”
Pep Guardiola: “I’m delighted with my players today. They were under pressure, but as they’ve shown over the years, they’re up for it when it matters. We’re pleased to be through to the next round, and we deserve it. Obviously it’s a bit easier against ten men. Congratulations to my team. We totally dominated the game and played good football.”
Jérôme Boateng: “It wasn’t an easy match. We made a superb start and obviously it did make the job simpler with our opponents down to ten men. We wanted the second goal as soon as possible, and we managed it before half-time. That was important, and then we saw it through to the end really well. The margin of victory was deserved and it was a great game from the whole team. We’re determined to make it to Berlin, although there’s still a long way to go. Let’s wait and see who we get in the quarters.”
Holger Badstuber: “The foul, the goal and the sending off naturally played right into our hands. We ruthlessly took advantage of the situation. Fortunately we got the second goal reasonably soon afterwards, although we always had to be on our guard and stifle their counter-attacks. I give it everything and try and help the team. It’s feeling better all the time. I’m trying to throw myself into it, learning from my team-mates and the boss. That’s the only thing that counts.”
Thomas Müller: “Donetsk were in real trouble after the second and third goals. Their heads went down, which gave us lots of space – and we used it. The course of the match was excellent for us. We took the lead after a couple of minutes and they went a man down. If you were going to wish for anything it would be that, but it’s not something we were expecting either. The situation going into the game was definitely more exciting than the match itself.”
Mircea Lucescu (Shakhtar coach): “There’s not a lot to say. We’ve lost, and I’m very disappointed we’ve lost so heavily. Bayern were in much better shape than us. It’s hard when you go a man down. I’m not sure the referee really had to show a red card, but from that moment on we couldn’t follow our game plan.”
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