FC Bayern extended their winning streak in the first match of 2019. Their 3-1 victory away to TSG Hoffenheim in Friday's Bundesliga reopener was their sixth win on the bounce. Leon Goretzka's brace set Bayern on their way before half-time. "The first half was sensational," head coach Niko Kovac said in praise of his team after the final whistle. "We wanted to get off to a good start to the second half of the season, and it was important to turn in a good display," Goretzka added.
Reaction to Hoffenheim v Bayern
Niko Kovac: "The first half was sensational. That was our ambition, that's what we're able to do. The result is good, we got off to a good start to the second half of the season and increased the pressure. We're the hunters, we want to chase Dortmund. We want to chase and seal the championship title. The decisive thing is to be at the top at the end of the season."
Hasan Salihamidzic: "We saw two facets. It was really good in the first half, we were in control. The second half was difficult, we made individual mistakes. We got involved in a battle, we failed to be compact and let the ball do the work. Then we conceded the goal on the break following a corner for us. We were on tenterhooks then. We did a good job when we scored the third goal. We went into the winter break with a good feeling, and now we've started the second half with a good feeling."
Leon Goretzka: "Taken altogether we put in a good fight. It was a superb performance in the first half. We were in control and deservedly took the lead. The second half was a bit hectic but the game would have been over if we had rounded off a counter. This way Hoffenheim bounced back, we had to give it everything. We wanted to get off to a good start to the second half of the season, and it was important to turn in a good display. Our goal is to clinch the championship title. We were six points short after the first half of the season. We're the hunters now."
Julian Nagelsmann (TSG Hoffenheim coach): "The first half was alarming, the second half was good. It was similar to our first match against Bayern this season. We were weak and scared in the first half, we hid away and lacked aggression. We weren't bold in defence, we chased the ball a lot. Bayern had many chances, so their lead was deserved. We reorganised at half-time. We can be satisfied with the second half. At the end of the day it was a deserved victory for Bayern."
Nico Schulz (TSG Hoffenheim): "We saw two different halves in terms of mentality. We dropped too deep in the first half and failed to create any pressure, which is futile against Bayern. We made two or three slight mistakes we had discussed beforehand."
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