Super Bayern produced a breathtaking display on Tuesday night to emphatically turn around a 3-1 first leg deficit against FC Porto, winning 7-4 on aggregate and storming into the Champions League semi-finals. Even normally restrained boss Pep Guardiola described his team’s performance as “madness,” while Thomas Müller felt FCB were “phenomenal at times today.” Two-goal Robert Lewandowski was defiant as the Reds made a mockery of the history books: “Lots of people thought we couldn’t do it, but we’re FC Bayern!”
Reaction to Bayern v Porto
Pep Guardiola: “It’s madness! I’m so happy to be coaching these outstanding players. I want to thank my players. Obviously we’re extremely pleased to be through to the semi-finals. We’ve had problems creating chances and scoring goals in recent matches, but today we’ve scored six. We had trouble controlling the game in the second half, partly because Porto changed their tactics. But they still had very few chances. Over the last few days I sensed we would do it. Obviously tactics and the line-up are important, but at the end of the day mental strength makes the difference at this level. Let’s see who we get in the draw. We’ll give it our best shot again in the semi-final.”
Matthias Sammer: “All of us here were convinced by this team the whole time. We knew we could rely on them. Our tactics were good and playing Philipp Lahm on the right took them by surprise. Pep Guardiola is a blessing for German football and for FC Bayern.”
Thomas Müller: “Wonderful! I can’t put it into words! It couldn’t have gone better! It was a huge effort and we made our own luck. Massive credit to the whole team! It was phenomenal at times tonight. Having your backs to the wall can be a good thing sometimes. There’s been lots of talk about us being down to the bare bones, but they’re good bones. We ran out of steam in the second half. Porto switched things around and we lost our grip. But what is there to criticise when you’ve won 6-1?”
Robert Lewandowski: “We played really terrific football in the first half. Lots of people thought we couldn’t do it, but we’re FC Bayern! We knew we’d have to go for it, but five goals before half-time is just crazy! It’s been an unbelievable evening. We can do everything! We want to win the lot!”
Julen Lopetegui (FC Porto coach): “We were very poor in the first half and never saw the ball. You suffer in that situation. We improved in the second half and created a couple of chances. Bayern Munich are one of the best teams in the world and favourites to win the Champions League. The margin of victory was deserved. You have to give them credit and congratulations. They were magnificent in the first half.”
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