Holders FC Bayern beat Energie Cottbus 3-1 on Monday, advancing to the second round of the DFB Cup. "We let the ball do the work and slowed the game down in the right situations," David Alaba said after the final whistle at the sold-out Stadion der Freundschaft. Coach Niko Kovac agreed: "My team did a good job. Taken altogether I'm satisfied."
Reaction to Cottbus v Bayern
Niko Kovac: "My team did a good job. We could have retained possession a bit more in the second half, but taken altogether I'm satisfied. Energie gave it everything, it was a great spectacle. We dominated possession. strangled our opponents but had to watch out for counters again and again. The final pass in the last third must be more precise. We could have done better."
Manuel Neuer: "We had to work hard against Drochtersen/Assel last year too. We did a better job this time. We created great chances and were out of luck against a strong keeper and Energie's good defensive display. We should have scored one or two more goals. I thought it was okay. We're through to the next round, and now we want to know our next opponents."
David Alaba: "It was a very intense match. We knew it wouldn't be an easy match. Taken altogether it was a deserved victory. We let the ball do the work and slowed the game down in the right situations, but of course we have a lot of room for improvement, we know that."
Claus-Dieter Wollitz (Energie Cottbus coach): "We were too passive in defence at times. Taken altogether we should have been a bit bolder. But it was a deserved victory, we gave it everything. At the end of the day the team with higher individual quality won."
Dimitar Rangelov (Energie Cottbus captain): "It was very difficult for us. I think we turned in a good display, gave a good account of ourselves and didn't give up until the end. Unfortunately it wasn't enough against so strong opponents, but the match was important for us, we learned a lot."
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