Round of 16 place booked! After a fourth win in four in the Champions League group stage, FC Bayern are through to the knockout phase of the Champions League. At home in the Allianz Arena, the Munich team celebrated a 5-2 win against Benfica. "It was fun to watch. We've qualified for the last 16. That's a good first step," head coach Julian Nagelsmann said, pleased on his return after suffering from coronavirus. A milestone appearance for Robert Lewandowski too, with his 100th UCL appearance, and he scored a hat-trick. The striker was also satisfied: "It was the next three points and a comprehensive win. fcbayern.com has reaction from the game.
Reaction from the Bayern camp:
Julian Nagelsmann: "It was fun to watch. Of course we conceded two goals. We discussed that separately, that we would defend differently. But overall it was an incredibly good game from us. Better than the last few weeks - very good control, incredible pace going forward. Now it's about consolidating our form. We still have two games in the group stage. We've qualified for the last 16. It's a good first step, but the knockout games will come thick and fast and you have to be ready for it. There are good teams in the competition, but we are one of them."
Robert Lewandowski: "Whether it was a perfect evening, I don't know. I missed a penalty. But I'm not worried about that. It happens. Luckily we scored a few more goals, me included. It was the next three points and a comprehensive victory. I never thought I could play so many games in the Champions League - and score so many goals and have so many assists. That's something special."
Dayot Upamecano: "We're always focused. I'm very happy about the game today. It was a nice evening for us. For Tanguy I am very happy, he played so well, with a lot of courage and concentration. He gave everything."
Tanguy Nianzou: "I'm very happy. The team played very well. We have to focus on the next game."
Reaction from the Benfica camp:
Jorge Jesus (Benfica head coach): "Bayern are very difficult to stop, we already knew that. In the first half, it looked for a long time as if the game would be balanced. But Bayern have many players who can hurt us. We conceded five, that's unsatisfactory. For us, qualification for the last 16 will depend on us getting past Barcelona and Kyiv."
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