What a comeback! FC Bayern went through to the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to an abundance of passion and attacking spirit in a footballing thriller. The German record champions won 4-2 against Juventus, who were two in the lead until the 73rd minute. “We gave it everything and came back after the second goal,” commented netminder Manuel Neuer after what Thomas Müller described as a “crazy match.” Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge saw nothing but positives on the night: “Games like this bind the team together and can help you go far.”
Reaction to Bayern v Juventus
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “It was an emotional match, it was actually like the first leg in reverse. The team showed character. But it has to be said that Juve were unlucky to be knocked out. We have to be honest about that. It wasn't an easy game. Juve pressed very aggressively. They did very well. In the second half we fought our way into the game, and we were lucky to score the equaliser in stoppage time. Games like this bind the team together and can help you go far. Those are heart-stopping matches.”
Pep Guardiola: “It was a good football match, for the fans too. We were up against last year's finalists. Juventus are a very strong team. If you're two down against an Italian team and score four it's just outstanding. A huge compliment to my team.”
Philipp Lahm: “First of all, all credit to the crowd. It was an incredible atmosphere. The fans spurred us on. You could see how close the top teams are in terms of quality. We might have conceded a third goal shortly before the break. But we knew we could score two. The subs did an outstanding job. It was an incredible evening.”
Thomas Müller: “It wasn't going according to plan. It was a crazy match. It was weird. I didn't see much of the ball because Juve defended very deep. We didn't defend very well when we conceded the two goals.”
Manuel Neuer: “Everyone wanted to go through to the quarter-finals. The fans, the players, the whole team. We gave it everything and came back after the second goal. It paid off. Not everything was perfect. We gifted them the goals they scored. We always desire the title, but everything's possible in football. We'll do our best.”
Massimiliano Allegri (Juventus coach): “It's a great pity. Of course I'm disappointed. Nevertheless I must congratulate my team. They turned in an outstanding display, better than in the first leg. They allowed no chances over 70 minutes and could have made it three. Unfortunately we didn't succeed at that. We mustn't be too disappointed. We showed wonderful character, wonderful mentality and played magnificently in the last sixteen. Nobody would have expected us to play two games like this. It's painful to be eliminated, but we leave with our heads held high. Now we have to focus on Serie A.”
Sami Khedira (Juventus): “Bayern had two good moves. We were unlucky and should have made better use of our chances. It would have been over if we’d made it three. We turned in a very good display. We took Bayern by surprise and would have deserved to go through. They turned it round with their individual class. It's a bitter day for us.”
