Neuer: We don't want to let them take this away from us

Thanks to a strong and composed performance, FC Bayern celebrated a 1-0 win at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga's top-of-the-table clash on Saturday. The win extended FCB's lead at the top of the table to seven points. "It was an important step in the title fight, we don't want to let them take this away from us," said captain Manuel Neuer afterwards.

Reaction from the Bayern camp

Hansi Flick:"It was a top game and Leipzig showed why they are up there. We needed something, we weren't quite as brave and didn't have as much possession. After 20 minutes we got a grip, controlled the game and scored the goal. That was important to settle into the game. In the second half, it was clear that Leipzig would try everything once again. They did that very well and caused us some problems. The morale and mentality of my team was outstanding - huge kudos to them. Our big goal was to win the game, to lay down a marker. It was an important step today in the title race, but there are still seven games to play."

Manuel Neuer: "It was an important step towards the title. We don't want to let anyone take that away from us. We didn't allow anything in the first half, played well out the back and positionally were good. In the second half, Leipzig did a little more going forward, they came at us more aggressively. That's when we had a problem or two in the build-up and they had opportunities. When our positions are good, we always want to solve the problem by playing. In the end, we ended up playing long balls."

Leon Goretzka: "You could see that we were lacking energy here and there, especially towards the end. You have to know how to defend in your own half. We already talked about that at the beginning of the season, that there would be games where you can't press for 90 minutes. It's down to a team's mentality then. But in a game like that, you also need luck on your side. It was a big step today, but not a decisive one just yet."

Reaction from the RB camp

Oliver Mintzlaff (RB Leipzig CEO): "It's disappointing, of course, that we didn't take anything away. We did very well in the second half and also started the game very well. It wasn't entirely undeserved to be 1-0 down at half-time though because we didn't do so well in the second quarter of the game. That speaks for Bayern's efficiency. We put everything on the line and took a lot of risks. Especially after the second half, it felt like a draw was fair to me, but it was not to be. We have to accept that."

Julian Nagelsmann (RB Leipzig head coach): "It was a goal we shouldn't give away in the manner we did. Nevertheless, we played a very good game. In the second half, we pushed Bayern very far back at times. Bayern didn't have a single opportunity at times, not until the end when spaces were bigger. Until then, we were clearly the better team and had four great chances. Unfortunately, we missed each time. In the end, it's a learning curve. We have to work on putting away our chances more incisively. We weren't weaker than Bayern today."

Marcel Sabitzer (RB Leipzig): "In short, the difference was that Bayern scored from one chance. We played very well, were dominant and when you don't score a goal, it's very tough to take. We built up in a controlled manner, got into the final third well, but then we lacked something, that final ball, the accuracy. After half-time, we turned in a very good display. We did everything but score. We have to blame ourselves for that. But Bayern are just a good team. We have to accept that."

The match report: