Kovac: It was hard work

"It was hard work," said Niko Kovac after the 3-2 extra-time victory over Hertha Berlin in the DFB Cup last sixteen. Kingsley Coman sent Bayern into the quarter-finals when he scored the winner after 97 minutes. Nobody doubted Bayern had rightfully advanced: "We won deservedly," summarised Niklas Süle.

Reaction to Hertha v Bayern

Niko Kovac: "It was hard work. Nobody wants 120 minutes but you're happy if you win. Hertha defended with nine, ten men, it's never easy then. It was an important victory. It's never advisable to start a phase of midweek matches with a defeat. Especially in Munich, where you have to clinch titles and win many matches. Let's see what the draw brings."

Serge Gnabry: "The joy prevails. It's always difficult in the cup. Hertha fought until the end. We're proud we've gone through. We were one behind and turned the tide. Then we conceded the equaliser. But we were in control and gave it everything. The goal we conceded was unnecessary, but that can happen to anybody."

Niklas Süle: "We conceded a goal straightaway but found a reply immediately. We turned in a good team display today, we allowed hardly any chances then. It's not easy away to Berlin, they're compact and play long balls, we had to fight our way through it. The team's unity was crucial in extra-time. We still built up calmly from the back. We had to fight hard for it but we won deservedly!"

Pal Dardai (Hertha Berlin coach): "I think we turned in a decent display, except for the phases when we failed to relieve the pressure. The team neutralised Gnabry and Coman for a long time, we failed at it when Ribéry came on. We defended poorly when we conceded the third goal. But Bayern played well today. We played to the maximum in terms of tactics, I can hardly blame my team, they fought well. We aren't yet ready to beat Bayern in a situation like this."

Davie Selke (Hertha Berlin): "Of course I'm glad I scored against dominant Bayern. It's a shame it wasn't enough. We had to make use of transitions. It was an exhausting match, we gave it everything. If you want to beat Bayern you need a perfect day."