FC Bayern did not cover themselves with glory in the 1-0 win against FC Augsburg. Leon Goretzka analysed briefly, but then quickly turned his gaze to the future.
Goretzka didn’t particularly like the question from the “Sky” reporter. Whether the decisive penalty, which Robert Lewandowski converted with his 32nd goal of the season to secure a 1-0 win (82nd), had helped Bayern overcome the blockade or uncertainty they had shown in the first half? The 27-year-old countered by saying that he thought both of these terms were “exaggerated”.
You didn’t play a good first half, the intensity was a bit lacking, Goretzka admitted. “If against an unpleasant opponent, who sometimes plays with four strikers in the back line, the willingness to get the second balls and win the duels is not one hundred per cent there, you come into the game quite badly.”
However, his team had improved, “doing it better in the second half over phases”. Goretzka is clear “that we have to improve on Tuesday against Villarreal – and we will,” he said. “The place will be on fire and we will deliver a game that is Bayern-like,” predicted the international.
Does he feel pressure? It’s the same every year at this stage, “now it’s all about it”. It is the phase that “we all love, that the fans want to see. The knockout games are coming, it’s about titles – we’re extremely looking forward to it. “
Best marks for Müller and Kimmich
Goretzka’s team-mates Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich must also have been delighted. The former, after his 411th Bundesliga game, is now the first outfield player to reach 300 wins. And the latter set Arjen Robben’s Bundesliga record and has 150 wins to his name after just 196 games.
