Reaction to DFB Cup match in Berlin - Joshua Kimmich: 'We have our sights set'

The dream of the final in Berlin goes on! After a hard-fought 90 minutes on Wednesday night, FC Bayern celebrated a 3-2 victory at Union Berlin in the DFB Cup round of 16 and sealed their place in the last eight. The Munich men are hoping to reach the final for the first time since 2020. “The most important thing is we’re through. We knew it wouldn’t be easy tonight in Berlin,” summarised Konrad Laimer. Coach Vincent Kompany shared a similar view: “In the end it’s about going through and I hope we can go through more rounds, and then no one will talk about how the win came about.” fcbayern.com has gathered the rest of the post-match reaction for you.

Reaction to the cup match at Union Berlin

Vincent Kompany: “I’m pleased with the first half, I think we did a lot right there. But the second half was a battle. We defended the set pieces very well and were a bit unlucky to concede the goals. In the end it’s about going through and I hope we can go through more rounds, and then no one will talk about how the win came about. We have four more matches before the winter break and we want to win them with a lot of energy too.”

Joshua Kimmich: “In the last five or six years, we’ve always been out of the DFB Cup before the winter break, so it was very important that we made it today. We have our sights set this year on getting back to Berlin, and today was a really important win. We did well in the first half but I don’t think the second half was as attractive to watch – a lot of set pieces, a lot of tackles, lots of throw-ins and corners but not many technical elements. It was certainly tense, which is also why the delight was so great.”

Konrad Laimer: “The most important thing is we’re through. We knew it wouldn’t be easy tonight in Berlin. A lot of high balls, a lot of tackles, a lot of set pieces and long throws – I think we had the full package again tonight. We did well in the first half and also played better with the ball than in the second half, but at the end of the day we conceded from two penalties. It was a very, very important win.”

Harry Kane: “This means a lot to us. We’ve not performed well in the cup in the last few years. You have to get through these kind of games, it was a hard fight. These wins give you extra confidence. We put everything into it tonight. I’m not sure why we came under pressure like that in the second half. I caught my opponent in the face for the penalty but it was still a harsh decision. Those things happen a lot. We’re glad to go through, then we’ll go into the next cup round in the new year with this feeling.”

Reaction from Union Berlin

Steffen Baumgart (coach): “The overriding feeling is disappointment, especially because of the good performance. Despite the setbacks, we did well especially in the second half and didn’t give up. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough in the end and that’s why we’re certainly a bit disappointed. Maybe we can look at it slightly differently tomorrow and say: That wasn’t so bad.”

Rani Khedira (midfielder): “It’s an unfortunate defeat. We virtually conceded three own goals. Bayern hardly threatened from open play but scored from something they’re very good at: set pieces. We normally defend them well but they keep coming back, never withdraw and do some great plays. We actually had Bayern on the brink, not of a defeat but at least extra time. And then I think anything can happen. As a sportsman, that hurts twice as much.”

Leopold Querfeld (centre-back): “I think we really gave it everything. I’m hugely proud of the team. We didn’t give up and that’s extremely tough against a team like Bayern. To keep going when you’re trailing by two goals twice is not a given, so I have great respect for our performance. Obviously, it’s a great shame that we lost through three set-piece goals today, as that’s normally our strength. We tried to cause Bayern as many problems as possible. I don’t think they like playing here that much.”

The match report: