Even the highest defeat in their own European Cup history did not change that. Nevertheless, the way of saying goodbye to the premier class naturally hurt. “It was a bitter evening, things went against us,” said coach Matthias Jaissle after the game. “We didn’t manage to bring the virtues onto the pitch that distinguished us in the first leg. Then we’re not the only team that gets under the wheels here.” Defender Rasmus Kristensen saw it similarly: “Today we were bad in all eleven positions, then it will be difficult here.” And sporting director Christoph Freund summed it up: ” It’s been a real lesson.”
All 17 infected players had recovered after the CoV cluster around two weeks ago, but obviously they could not get the level of performance that is needed at this level. “We always said that wasn’t an excuse, but you could see that one or the other player wasn’t at 100 percent. We weren’t on the same level as in the first leg,” said Jaissle. Unlike the Bavarians, who were able to set a call sign at the right time. “We showed that we’re there,” said Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski strikes back
Three weeks ago, the reigning world footballer hadn’t made a trick in Salzburg and hadn’t noticed anything else. Now he had his first chance after just two minutes and finally scored a penalty after two fouls committed on him by Maximilian Wöber for a comfortable lead. He made it 3-0 after 23 minutes, making it the earliest hat-trick in a CL game ever. The world-class striker only needed 10:22 minutes for his three goals.
ZIB night with Champions League (from 11:45 minutes)
FC Salzburg were clearly eliminated in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
“There was a big difference between today and the first leg. If we have a little space or space, something can always happen – that’s our great strength. We showed that in the first half,” said the 33-year-old Pole. Jaissle paid tribute to Bayern in this respect. “You also have to commend the people of Munich, they occupied the space well.” Freund: “When Bayern come into play, they are one of the best teams in Europe.”
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann explained after the game what went better than in the first leg: “We played less in the center and more on the wings, which gave us better control. We got ‘Lewy’ (Lewandowski, note) on the ball faster.” He clarified the question of promotion early on, after which it was time for a show.
Chances given, mistakes punished
Salzburg had two top chances themselves through Nicolas Capaldo and Nicolas Seiwald, but Kingsley Coman with a sensational defense after a full sprint and the returnee Manuel Neuer in goal prevented a setback for Bayern, which according to Nagelsmann would have given his team food for thought. Or as Müller explained: “We had this situation in the initial phase that could have really given Salzburg a can opener.”
From then on, Bayern kept up the pace and punished Salzburg’s mistakes coldly. “For us it was about showing attitude, showing character. The boys have to learn not to give up a millimeter in a game like this. I’m annoyed that we end up conceding a goal or two,” said Freund.
On the other hand, it was noticeably important for Bayern to send a signal after a lot of criticism recently. “Because of the importance of the game, we didn’t stop in the second half either. The joy of playing was already there,” says Müller. Nagelsmann also admitted: “It’s always dangerous, the greater pressure was undoubtedly on us. From that point of view we are happy that we won.”
Proud of historic season remains
But even if the final point was a bitter one, in the end Salzburg could proudly look back on this European Cup season. “I would like to commend the squad as a whole. We achieved something historic by making it into the round of 16, one shouldn’t forget that,” said Jaissle, referring to the first winter in the premier class, which came as a surprise after a recent upheaval. After all, the youngest team and the youngest coach did it.
“I think we can be proud of our performances in the Champions League throughout the season,” said goalkeeper Philipp Köhn. “We’re looking forward now, to the championship and the cup – we have to concentrate on that.” Freund said the same goal: “Now we have to get up again, that’s important. The hit against the storm comes and then the cup semifinals.” Around 50 million euros in CL income is also a big consolation. Like the certainty of having a fixed ticket for the premier class with the likely title in the Bundesliga for the coming season.
Champions League round of 16 second leg
Tuesday:
Bayern Munich – Salzburg 7: 1 (4: 0)
Allianz Arena, 25,000 spectators, SR Turpin (FRA)
goal sequence:
1: 0 Lewandowski (12./Elfmeter)
2: 0 Lewandowski (21./Elfmeter)
3: 0 Lewandowski (23.)
4:0 Gnabry (31.)
5:0 Müller (54.)
5: 1 Kjaergaard (70th)
6:1 Müller (83.)
7:1 Sane (86.)
Bayern: Neuer – Pavard, Süle (66th / Nianzou), Hernandez (60th / Upamecano) – Kimmich, Musiala (66th / Roca) – Gnabry (46th / Sarr), Müller, Sane, Coman (66th / Choupo-Moting ) – Lewandowski
Salzburg: Köhn – Kristensen, Solet (46./Piatkowski), Wöber, Ulmer – Capaldo, Camara (67./Tijani), Aaronson, Seiwald (46./Sucic) – Adamu (62./Kjaergaard), Adeyemi (62./Sesko )
Yellow cards: none
First leg 1:1, Munich with a total score of 8:2 in the quarterfinals
