A good result to take into the return fixture! On Tuesday evening, FC Bayern put in a strong performance in London to secure a 2-2 draw at Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. The management, coaches and players were understandably satisfied after the game. "Overall, it was a very mature performance," said board member for sport Max Eberl, delighted with Bayern’s performance. Head coach Thomas Tuchel could only agree: "I'm happy with the result. We got a draw, so what is required of us is clear. The winner of the next leg advances."
Bayern, along with goalscorer Harry Kane, are counting on the support of their own fans for the second leg: "It's a good result and I hope we can progress next week. Maybe the fans at home can make the difference." fcbayern.com rounds up the post-match reaction...
Reaction to the Arsenal draw
Max Eberl: "The team were energetic in the press without the ball today and were brave with it. Thomas Tuchel set the team up very well, highlighted the mistakes that Arsenal can make and the team capitalised very well. We were aggressive in tackles and threw ourselves into every challenge. We saw at 2-2 that that doesn't always work, but overall it was a very mature performance. We hardly allowed the opposition any chances and had one or two counter-attacks ourselves. In the end, the result is okay. I'm looking forward to the second leg, with our fans in the Allianz Arena behind us, where we want to finish off what we started today."
Thomas Tuchel: "I'm pleased with the result. We could have won. We had another huge chance through Kingsley Coman at the end there. It was difficult, they’re an extremely good opponent. We knew we had to play better than in Heidenheim and we did that. It was crucial we did that here. We got a draw, so what is required of us is clear. The winner of the next leg advances. We're playing at home and we need the same atmosphere then as today from the Arsenal fans. We need the same passion and commitment we showed today next week."
Harry Kane: "We had to show passion and we did that. It was an intense game and not an easy one. Arsenal are top of the Premier League. It's a good result and I hope we can progress next week. Maybe the fans at home can make the difference. The Wembley dream is still there. We've taken a small step, but we have a big game ahead of us next week. Wembley is something special for me, of course. But there's still a long way to go."
Joshua Kimmich: "After the way the game went, we have to be satisfied with the result. Our game wasn’t perfect in the first half and we went into the half-time break 2-1 up. We then had more dangerous opportunities in the second half and we also hit the post. It was extremely important that we came back like that after going 1-0 down. Leroy Sané played a big part in that, especially in the first half. Defensively, everyone got stuck in, but in attack he was the one who carried the game. He was a crucial player for me. We're definitely in a position to win against Arsenal at home next week. We have to win the game and we'll do everything we can to do that."
Reaction from the Arsenal camp
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal head coach): "We started strongly and were dominant, but should have made it 2-0. We have to learn from that. The Champions League is the highest level and you get penalised if you don’t. But overall we did well and now we'll try to progress in Munich. I'm proud of the team - we have a great chance."
Kai Havertz (Arsenal forward): "We didn't take our chances. We didn't have a golden chance, but there were moments where we could have done better if we'd had the composure. But in a game like this, it's the fine margins that count. Everything is set for the second leg. We'll be ready. We have to win. That's for sure and it's our goal."
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