The 90 minutes left their mark. Not just on Javi Martinez, who was hacked down in added time – with his opposite number Joaquin Correa seeing red for the challenge – leaving him with a bruised knee. Robert Lewandowski left the Allianz Arena with a big plaster under his left eye. James Rodriguez had a bloody nose during the game and he left the pitch with cut knees and a bruised thigh… However, the Bayern players didn't feel any pain after the final whistle. Arm in arm, they danced in celebration in front of the South Stand at the Allianz Arena: They’ve done it! Through to the Champions League semi-finals!
"We're all happy to qualify for the semi-finals," declared a delighted Rafinha who received extensive treatment on his left shoulder at the end of the first half. A 0-0 draw against Sevilla was enough for Bayern to reach the last four following the 2-1 away win a week ago. FCB are in the semi-finals for the seventh time in the last nine years.
We can be proud of our team and they fully deserve to be in the semi-finals," said Uli Hoeneß as he credited Bayern with a clever performance against an opponent who tried everything to turn round the result from the first leg. "I think it was absolutely important not to fall into a trap. When you notice it isn't happening up front then you have to settle for playing for a 0-0 draw. It was very professional."
„"I think Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt will have a touch of cramp tomorrow."”
Sven Ulreich
Jupp Heynckes was also "very happy." His team stood up to the "aggressive and robust" approach of the Andalusians ("there was some really tough tackling.") without putting themselves in danger of picking up a yellow card. Of course, the Bayern coach would have liked a goal to settle his team down. "We had chances and the space," said a disappointed Thomas Müller. In the final analysis, that was of secondary importance. More important was the fourth clean sheet in the fifth Champions League game this season for Bayern who did not look like conceding with the exception of a header against the bar from a free kick.
"The lads put up a great fight and gave their all," said sporting director Hassan Salihamidzic, clearly impressed by the FCB performance, "there's a great atmosphere in the team. The lads want everybody to know about it."
The champions of Germany now in sight of a clear target. "We’re through to the semi-finals. And the only target left is to get to the final and lift the trophy. That's our clearly stated aim," said Mats Hummels.
"We are obviously ambitious. Our aim is to get to the final," said Heynckes laying his cards on the table. "We are determined. We want to go all the way. We all know it won't be a walk in the park in the semi-final," said Müller. Real Madrid, Liverpool and Roma are the three possible opponents in Friday’s draw. Bayern do not have a preferred opponent. Hoeneß spoke for everybody at Bayern: "I just want to get to the final."
Jupp Heynckes was also "very happy." His team stood up to the "aggressive and robust" approach of the Andalusians ("there was some really tough tackling.") without putting themselves in danger of picking up a yellow card. Of course, the Bayern coach would have liked a goal to settle his team down. "We had chances and the space," said a disappointed Thomas Müller. In the final analysis, that was of secondary importance. More important was the fourth clean sheet in the fifth Champions League game this season for Bayern who did not look like conceding with the exception of a header against the bar from a free kick.
"The lads put up a great fight and gave their all," said sporting director Hassan Salihamidzic, clearly impressed by the FCB performance, "there's a great atmosphere in the team. The lads want everybody to know about it."
The champions of Germany now in sight of a clear target. "We’re through to the semi-finals. And the only target left is to get to the final and lift the trophy. That's our clearly stated aim," said Mats Hummels.
"We are obviously ambitious. Our aim is to get to the final," said Heynckes laying his cards on the table. "We are determined. We want to go all the way. We all know it won't be a walk in the park in the semi-final," said Müller. Real Madrid, Liverpool and Roma are the three possible opponents in Friday’s draw. Bayern do not have a preferred opponent. Hoeneß spoke for everybody at Bayern: "I just want to get to the final."
Topics of this article