It wasn't to be. Despite a convincing performance - particularly in the first half - FC Bayern were knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw in the second leg against Manchester City. Ultimately the 3-0 defeat in the first leg in Manchester left FCB with too much to do. "More was possible tonight," said president Herbert Hainer at full time. Midfielder Joshua Kimmich commented: "It's very frustrating that we couldn't take the lead." Thomas Müller and Leon Goretzka bemoaned the lack of "cutting edge". Here's all the reaction.
The reaction to the match against Manchester City
Herbert Hainer: "We can be very satisfied with the team. We battled and didn't give up. Manchester City were vulnerable but unfortunately we didn't get the goal in the first half. That would've stoked the flames, it's a shame. More was possible tonight. Our coach prepared the team very well and we weren't worse than Man City. It always hurts to be knocked out."
Oliver Kahn: "Overall it was a strong performance from the team, especially in the first half. If we'd gone in front then, it would've got tense for Man City. But as has so often been the case this season, we create chances and then don't take them. There was a bit of luck missing too. When you go 1-0 up here, the belief increases, the confidence. Then it would've been a tight affair. You can do anything to the team today, but not fault them. They threw everything at it but it wasn't enough."
Hasan Salihamidžić: "The stadium was with us, we were waiting for that first goal to come. Sadly we didn't manage to get it. Overall we played well, we were superior for long periods and had a lot of chances. Sadly we still went out. Nevertheless, we can come away from the game with our heads held high."
Thomas Tuchel: "We had them on the ropes twice, tonight more so than in Manchester. We had no luck over the 180 minutes, though. I'm very pleased with both performances against Manchester City and the manner in which we played today. We went toe to toe with the best team in Europe at the moment."
Thomas Müller: "At the end of the day we're out. The crowd showed after the game that they saw how much effort we put in and how much we tried to turn the tide. Ultimately we're not scoring enough goals, we have to be honest. It was a huge effort, we also had some great pieces of play, but in the end we lacked cutting edge and punch. We're missing narrowly instead of putting them away, and if they are on target then the goalkeeper saves it. We can build on the energy, but we know on Saturday we've got opponents in Mainz who have had a week's rest. That's the main focus now, not dwelling on this bitter exit for too long."
Joshua Kimmich: "We were determined to take the lead in the first half and had very good chances to do so. It's very frustrating that we couldn't take the lead. I would like to have seen the second half if we were leading 1-0. If you view both games, it wasn't for a lack of desire. Over the 180 minutes we maybe didn't play well for 20, 30 minutes. We weren't the worse team. We chased down the deficit from the first leg today. It was realistic that we could make it up."
Leon Goretzka: "Obviously, we’re extremely disappointed we couldn’t pull it off today. We put in a great performance, but a lot of little things went against us over the two games, and it wasn’t enough today. You have to take all the little moments into account, but at the end of the day we didn’t take our chances. There are a number of reasons for that. Of course, composure in front of goal is one of them.”
The reaction from the Manchester City camp
Pep Guardiola (Man City head coach): “I’m very happy. We were solid and defended well in both games, but the aggregate score doesn’t reflect the tie. It’s the little details that are decisive at this level. They were two close games. They were better today, especially with the chances they had in the first half. We made a few little changes at the break. We were better after that and had more possession. Bayern have enormous quality. We’re through to the semi-finals to face Real Madrid. If you want to win the competition, you have to beat everyone.”
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): “It’s always tough. It was the same when I played here when I was in Germany. If you’re 3-0 up but then concede in the first half, the momentum shifts the other way. We didn’t give much away. Obviously it made it hard for Bayern when we went 1-0 up. We defended well as a team in the difficult moments. We also had chances to score more goals in the first game. We have a lot of quality in the team. We’re looking forward to the semi-finals.”
The match report:
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