Lothar Matthäus, 60, speaks to the “Presse” about Salzburg’s learning process after the 1:7 lesson, Bavaria’s weaknesses – and the pressure to survive in Munich.
Die Presse: Did you think such a debacle in Salzburg, Austria’s serial champions lost 7-1 in the Champions League round of 16 in Munich, was possible?
Lothar Matthäus: Not with this clarity, my tip was 3:0. I thought to myself that things wouldn’t stay exciting until the 90th minute. Just the fact that we talked about a possible sensation before the second leg was almost a compliment for Salzburg and Austrian football. Bayern should have had a very bad day, Salzburg a very good one. It came the other way around.
Can defeats of this magnitude happen – and can you blame Salzburg?
No, they should simply learn from this game. Bayern is an absolute top club, as an outsider you become smaller and more insecure with every goal you concede. It drains your energy and passion. And: other clubs in Munich have already lost significantly.
Salzburg’s defense chief Wöber caused both penalties. Because he defended clumsily – or did Lewandowski solve the situation very well?
Of course you can defend it better. Wöber was too close to Lewandowski and should have positioned himself behind instead of in front of him. So he was at a very bad angle to Lewandowski, who then did it world class. Being able to put the ball in front of the goal with the first touch of the ball is simply a quality. If you look at the goals Salzburg conceded – twice the impetuous behavior of Wöber, once the inconsistent running out of goalkeeper Köhn, then Camaras dribbling in his own penalty area – you shouldn’t be surprised if you lose 1:7. This game showed what the team is still missing.
For example the physical component? Aaronson or Adamu often seemed lost in duels.
