FC Bayern would not have achieved much in recent games with only one goal of their own. This time in Frankfurt, however, the zero stood once again. That made those involved happy. “The mentality was really good today,” was the tenor.
What did Bayern’s last five compulsory games have in common before this 1:0 win in Frankfurt? The record champions and Bundesliga leaders have conceded goals in each case, often setting themselves up with unnecessary 0:1 arrears.
This time, however, there was quality in the defensive work throughout the game – apart from a great chance allowed by Filip Kostic early in the game and a few other SGE counters allowed. The Munich side won an impressive 65.7 per cent of the duels in Hesse – the highest and thus best value of all games played by all 18 first division teams this season.
In short: The description 1:0 working victory, it fitted like a glove – also because the FCB missed further goals with a shot right in the face of Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp.
“The manner was right “
And it was precisely this fact, having achieved the away treble without conceding a goal, that put a smile on the faces of those involved. First and foremost midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who set up Leroy Sané’s 1:0 with a wonderful tuck pass.
Speaking to “Sky” after the game, the German international said he was delighted: “It was a battle victory. We did well and had a few good chances that should have given us the lead earlier. Then we could have finished the game more confidently.” It was also important to keep the score level – “and the manner was also right”.
What did Kimmich mean by that in particular? “Today the mentality was really good. We pushed ourselves very hard in the last 15 minutes in order not to concede a goal. That’s also fun then.” This was most evident in the set-piece player himself, for example when he sprinted after a strong tackle by Lucas Hernandez in the closing stages, shouted with joy at his colleague and praised him profusely for his action.
For the 27-year-old, it is precisely this mentality that will be the key to the upcoming decisive phase of the season in the direction of the Champions League (1-1 in the last 16 first leg in Salzburg) and Bundesliga championship number ten in a row: “There is still a long way to go. We’ve had several moments where you felt that this is it. In the last few weeks we’ve squandered the cushion a bit.” That, however, is how it can go, he said, because “it has to be our ambition to take the lead to the finish line. “
Overall, it was a good step for us,” said coach Julian Nagelsmann, who also explicitly praised the defensive work: “We had good access throughout the game. That was very good for long stretches. “
