Reaction to match at Wolfsburg - Vincent Kompany: 'Credit for the response'

The final score did not really reflect the events of the past 90 minutes on Saturday evening. Bayern claimed a narrow 1-0 victory at VfL Wolfsburg, but given the number of chances at both ends, the game deserved more goals. “Wolfsburg could’ve scored five goals – that wasn’t good from us,” said Tom Bischof, who himself hit the crossbar with a thunderbolt in the 19th minute. “In the second half, we linked up with each better and moved them around more. That was the error in the first half.” Head coach Vincent Kompany also saw a considerable improvement from his team after the restart: “Once again, credit for the response. It’s not easy to come out and then change everything – but we did that.” fcbayern.com has compiled the rest of the post-match reaction for you.

Reaction to the match at Wolfsburg

Christoph Freund, sporting director: “We knew it wouldn’t be easy today. Wednesday was a very bitter night for us – and then we come here and Wolfsburg are fighting for survival. In the end, we’re really proud that we won because it wasn’t an easy situation. We kept a clean sheet and played very well in the second half, so we’re very happy. We started well, then Wolfsburg did well and repeatedly countered quickly. We didn’t find our game, didn’t have any dominance and kept losing the ball quickly – a lot of tackles too. That’s not like us, it wasn’t a good first half. But Jonas Urbig and a few pieces of defending kept us in the game.”

Vincent Kompany: “The problem is not the intent in the counter-pressing. You don’t always need to have the feeling that you have to score three goals in the first 10, 15 minutes and wipe the opponents out. We started well but lost our patience – and then it becomes more difficult. Eventually the legs make a difference and I think that’s why we were much better in the second half. That was just to do with our possession. We got the job done in the second half. It’s a healthy arrogance, when you score 120 goals, everyone thinks it flies in automatically up front. That’s not true. We have to wait until the legs tire and then you get spaces. Once again, credit for the response. It’s not easy to come out and then change everything – but we did that. We didn't have it easy at all, we have to respect that they went toe-to-toe with us. We shouldn’t be surprised when it gets a bit dirty – Wolfsburg are fighting for their lives, we have to respect that. I know that coming out in the second half and winning again is not easy. We have to appreciate that.”

Jonas Urbig: “It started from scratch again today. It’s clear that Wednesday hurt a lot, but we don’t need to dwell on that or feel sorry for ourselves, it goes on. Ulle (Sven Ulreich) and Manu (Manuel Neuer) came up to me straight after the game and congratulated me on my performance, which made me really happy. I train very hard from week to week – and just take it one week at a time. We still have a home match against Köln and the cup final, sadly not the Champions League. After that, I’ll keep looking forward.”

Tom Bischof: “We’d discussed me having a shot – it was intended that way and we executed it well. I’m annoyed, I would’ve really liked that. And yes, Harry (Kane) is allowed to miss for once. Wolfsburg could’ve scored five goals – that wasn’t good from us. Our distances were too big. In the second half, we linked up with each better and moved them around more. That was the error in the first half. It’s always bad when you concede a lot of chances and goals. On Jonas Urbig: the way he deputises for Manu when he gets the chance is amazing. He has a great presence. He has to go to the World Cup.”

Reaction from Wolfsburg

Dieter Hecking (coach): “I saw a team today who believe in themselves, who can go at the intensity, who had a good shape and who had their moments in the game where it could’ve swung in our favour. Of course, we know about the risk against Bayern that you’re eventually going to have a period in which you have to suffer. Unfortunately, we conceded the goal in that period. If we’d ridden that out better and maybe been quicker out to double up on Michael Olise, the game might have been more open towards the end. And then we had the huge chance with the shot against the post at the end. Ultimately, though, whether we’d drawn or lost heavily doesn’t change the situation. Nevertheless, it’s a good feeling. I’ll take that because the players have really shown me in the last few weeks that they’re capable of these performances.”

Patrick Wimmer (midfielder): “I think we actually defended pretty well for 95 percent of the match today. I don’t think you can completely keep them out for 90 minutes. And for the ball to then go in off the bar again, that’s obviously the quality of the team and the players they have. If I could say why we haven’t always performed like that, then we wouldn’t be where we are and wouldn’t have the final next week. We’ve certainly gained stability in our team under Dieter Hecking, and I think that’s just good for us. We’re playing steadily, we can play a bit too, which I think we saw today. And I think we’re ready for the final next week now.”

The match report: