FC Bayern won the top match in Leverkusen – and did so in such a dominant manner that not even coach Julian Nagelsmann expected it. Robert Lewandowski explained why they could be satisfied, while Joshua Kimmich found a small point of criticism.
“It was not calculated today because the opponent played very well before,” Nagelsmann admitted to “DAZN” after the 5:1 triumph in Leverkusen and was impressed by the performance of his charges. “We had an incredible number of finishing situations in outstanding spaces. Leverkusen had very little access in the first half.”
The 34-year-old praised his midfield four in particular. “Josh (Kimmich, editor’s note) was incredibly good, Thomas (Müller) and Leroy (Sané) have been doing that well in the half spaces for weeks – and Leon (Goretzka) was the key player because he tied up opponents.” The coach was also pleased that they neutralised the Werkself’s enormous counter-attacking strength.
Kimmich praises spatial distribution
Kimmich, meanwhile, noted that the “spatial distribution was really good today. We had a lot of players between the chains, especially behind the opposition’s six, so we got pace, depth and goal threat.” The international also said that he had “already expected” such a strong performance from his teammates and that he was by no means “surprised”. Especially the last quarter of an hour of the first half was “gigantic”.
“To be honest, I didn’t think the first ten or 15 minutes were that clear. It was back and forth, it was an intense game. “
JOSHUA KIMMICH
Kimmich also admitted, however, that he didn’t like the start that much. “Honestly, I didn’t think the first ten, 15 minutes were so clear. It went back and forth there, it was an intense game.” Double-pointer Lewandowski put this down to the fact that “maybe we played a bit too deep”. Nevertheless, the Pole was satisfied all round. “The result shows what kind of football we played. We can be satisfied – with the performance, the goals and everything we showed on the pitch.”
However, there was one drop of bitterness: Alphonso Davies had to be substituted in the 40th minute of the match. Whether the Canadian will be fit for the upcoming Champions League match at Benfica on Wednesday is still unclear, as Nagelsmann revealed in the evening. “He felt a slight pain in his thigh. We have to see if it’s enough by Wednesday. “
