Reaction to Bayern v Mainz - Aleksandar Pavlović: A step closer to our goal

FC Bayern turned in a strong display to beat FSV Mainz 3-0 on Saturday. Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 victory over Augsburg meant the champagne remained on ice, but Munich were very satisfied. “We absolutely wanted to win the match and achieved it with aplomb, we kept another clean sheet,” said sporting director Christoph Freund. “We’re happy with the match, we were dominant for 90 minutes and are a step closer to our goal,” added Aleksandar Pavlović.  fcbayern.com has all the reaction to the game.

Reaction to Bayern v Mainz

Christoph Freund: “We absolutely wanted to win the match and achieved it with aplomb, we kept another clean sheet. We’re a step closer. It feels good, we’re happy. Now it’s in our own hands in the next game.”

Vincent Kompany on Thomas Müller’s 500^th Bundesliga appearance: “Every match has its own story, probably all of the the 500 matches were at the highest level, it’s incredible. He had a top mentality in all of them, which brought him to this club, that’s how he created his career. He’s a top role model for the other lads. We’ll have another tough match in Leipzig, but there’ll be many moments when we can celebrate Thomas. Now we want to take the three points.”

Thomas Müller: “It was a crucial victory. After the Champions League exit I expected us to turn in good displays. We could rely on everyone who played. Everything went according to plan. I must thank the fans today. Slowly but surely I’m understanding it was my second-to-last home match. I’m not wistful or sad, but it feels weird.”

Serge Gnabry: “We can be satisfied, we were in control for large spells. In the first 15 minutes after the break we gave the ball away too often. We could have scored more goals, we can be satisfied.”

Harry Kane: “It was an important victory today, that’s the main thing. On Saturday we’ll have the big chance to win the title. It was a big step today. I’m happy with the result and the match. We were under pressure today, people talked as if we had already won the title, but you must go out there and deliver against opponents against whom we lost earlier this season. I think it was a top performance, we allowed them very few chances. To score three goals and keep a clean sheet is a good performance.”

Aleksandar Pavlović: “We’re happy with the match, we were dominant for 90 minutes and are a step closer to our goal. I feel at ease, it was a lot of fun today. Now our focus is on the next match in Leipzig.”

Reaction from the Mainz camp

Bo Henriksen (head coach): “Of course we’re disappointed, but we turned in a good display. We didn’t have to lose 3-0 even though Bayern were better. Bayern were very efficient today. If so, any team will lose here. I’m very proud of the performance, it isn’t easy to play here. Bayern were very strong, but we tried everything.”

Paul Nebel: “Sometimes you’re in such a period in football, then it’s about working your way out of it together. We did a lot of things well, but there’s also a lot we must improve.”

The match report: