With a commanding 3:0 win against Lazio Roma, FC Bayern averted an early exit from the Champions League. Afterwards, those involved were relieved, but now demanded consistently good performances
There was also a sense of satisfaction among those involved at FC Bayern after they put in a commanding performance to beat Lazio Roma on Tuesday and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite the burden of a 1-0 first-leg defeat. “We can be happy and feel vindicated,” said coach Thomas Tuchel on Prime Video after a game that could have exacerbated Munich’s crisis if things had gone differently
However, there was little sign of that over 90 minutes, FCB were defensively solid against a weak Lazio, but at the same time knew not to rush things in their mission to make up for the first leg result. Tuchel spoke of a “very solid, very disciplined” performance and was impressed by the fact that his team acted more courageously than in the first leg without doing “crazy things”. “It wasn’t all that easy. We knew we had to score at least two goals against a Sarri team – and we did well to do that. “
Bayern want to “enjoy the feeling “
Goalscorer Thomas Müller was also delighted with FCB’s performance. “We’re obviously very happy and are trying to enjoy the feeling that’s there right now. Regardless of what was in the papers yesterday, what will be in the papers tomorrow or anything else – it just feels good,” said the 34-year-old, who played his 149th Champions League game, with relief. “The team absolutely deserved it today and we want to enjoy it. “
The team is intact despite the recent lack of results and poor performances. “We just haven’t played that good soccer with top results, but we’ve been together the whole time and I’ve always tried to make that clear. It’s not a complete shambles, we just have problems on the pitch. But today was quite good,” said the attacking player.
Despite all the joy, both Müller and Tuchel made it clear that the success must not remain a one-off, but that Munich must continue to improve on their usual consistency of the past. “It’s no redemption that we’ve reached a new level of playing culture. But we’ve taken an important step,” said the international, who was echoed by his coach: “We have to go one better. Mainz are waiting for us on Saturday and want to make life difficult for us. We have to keep at it to maintain the momentum. That’s not so easy for us this season. “
