FC Bayern returned from the international break with a comfortable 1-0 success away to 1. FC Köln. In spite of the close result, the hard-fought victory was never under threat. “The result is what's most important. Some people will look at it and probably expect it to have been a bit higher,“ commented the scorer of the only goal on Friday evening, Harry Kane. “Usually, it's our great strength to use our chances. Today, it was only a 1-0,” said Thomas Tuchel. fcbayern.com summarises the reaction.
Reation to Köln vs. Bayern
Thomas Tuchel: “The first half was very good. We settled into the game very well and never eased up. We created a multitude of great scoring opportunities. Usually, it's our great strength to use our chances. Today, it was only a 1-0, so we had to remain concentrated. We couldn't afford to mistake match control with sluggishness and had to stay alert. We were able to do that very well in the second half and that's why we deserved to win."
Harry Kane: “It was a really good game. We should have scored more goals in the first half. In the second half, we controlled the game. It was a really important victory after the international break. The result is what's most important. Some people will look at it and probably expect it to have been a bit higher. Cologne defended well but so did we, particularly towards the end.”
Leon Goretzka: “The circumstances were extremely difficult for us. We arrived here exhausted following the international break, and then you play on a Friday. We were highly professional today. Köln pressed us very high to begin with. We managed to get out of those situations very well and then they changed tactics. In the second half, we still had control but we should have created more chances. But we didn't give away much, we were well positioned and the players up front joined in the work. It was an important win today."
Reaction from Köln
Steffen Baumgart (coach, 1. FC Köln): “I take responsibility for the first 30 minutes. I simply pushed the lads too high up the pitch against a team who didn't give us a sniff. Many things didn't work for us. The second half was better, but when you look at the full 90 minutes Bayern deserved to leave the pitch victorious. They had one or two opportunities to finish us off much sooner. Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance. We know we're in a difficult situation, but you can tell that the lads are willing to give it their all. They go along with everything.“
Jan Thielmann (1. FC Köln): “In the end, we get zero points. It was a good defensive performance. Offensively, we could have shown more determination in one or two situations. Of course, we cannot be satisfied following a defeat.“
Read about the most important scenes in our match report:
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