Reaction to FC Bayern v Union Berlin - Serge Gnabry: 'It shows how good our attack is'

FC Bayern enjoyed a thoroughly successful afternoon at the Allianz Arena ahead of the international break. Thanks to Saturday’s comfortable 4-0 victory over Union Berlin, Munich head into the international break in high spirits. The players and their coach were pleased after the match. “We got off to a good start and felt from start to finish that we were in command,” said head coach Vincent Kompany. Serge Gnabry played a crucial role in the victory and bagged a brace: “I wanted to turn in a good display and prove myself again. Fortunately, I was able to do that today.” fcbayern.com has gathered the rest of the post-match reaction for you.

Reaction to the match against Union Berlin

Sporting director Christoph Freund: “We turned in a really good display: we created a lot of chances and allowed little. It always looks easy in hindsight, but it was a very focused performance. The lads are enjoying football and you can see that. It’s crucial to head into the international break in high spirits. We absolutely wanted to achieve that. It’ll really get going in April.” 

Vincent Kompany: “We got off to a good start and felt from start to finish that we were in command. But we mustn’t forget it took some time until we scored the first goal. Union defended very well in this phase, we have to give them credit for that. Then we showcased our quality. But it’s not a matter of course to score four goals. It’s one of our greatest strengths that different players stand out in attack again and again. I hope we can keep it up. Today it was Serge Gnabry. I’m really happy for Serge because he’s one of the players who tend to get underestimated.”

Harry Kane: “I took the chance that was hardest to convert, but I missed the easier ones – but that’s the life of a striker. The main thing is that we won the match. We turned in a really strong performance today. We had two tough matches against Union this season, so it was really important to win today to keep the momentum up.”

Serge Gnabry: “I didn’t start in the last two matches, so I probably had a lot of energy. I wanted to turn in a good display and prove myself again. Fortunately, I was able to do that today. The longer we play together, the better we know one another. Under our coach, who’s been here for one and a half years now, the principles have become clearer and clearer. Everybody knows exactly what’s expected of them in their position. That’s why it works so well, no matter the rotation. You don’t really think about records during matches. Of course we’ll be happy when we break it, and we’ll see how far we can take it. It’s really incredible we’re on 97 goals, I wouldn’t have expected that. It just shows how good our attack is.”

Reaction from Union Berlin

Horst Heldt (director of professional football): “It’s always tough against Bayern, no question. And it’s still different when you play here rather than at home. But of course we can’t play like that. We were inferior in every respect today and deservedly lost by this margin. To be honest, we can be glad we didn’t concede more goals.”

Steffen Baumgart (head coach): “We were clearly inferior in all respects. I’d like to list all our weaknesses, but I’d just say FC Bayern were superior in all respects. It hurts, I have to say that. We need to clear our heads first, the last few weeks were exhausting for us, with a negative experience. Everyone knows what awaits us in the next few matches, the kind of play we’ll be up against. We definitely want to use the next few home games to take the final steps.”

Christopher Trimmel (defender): “We played away against the best team today. It’s always hard, but we’d aimed for more. To be honest, we’re lucky we got away with a 4-0 defeat, it could have been worse. Bayern are a top team, but overall we didn’t do well enough. We were too timid in possession, which was a major problem. We wanted to change things at half-time but failed to do that. Of course we tried to show we wouldn’t completely fall apart, especially after the third goal. But that isn’t always easy because Bayern never let up – which is another thing that sets them apart from many other good teams. These games happen.”

The match report: