Jan-Christian Dreesen speech at Paris banquet: 'Test of character passed again'

Jan-Christian Dreesen could only take his hat off for the spirit shown by Vincent Kompany’s side. “We saw today that this team have character,” said the FC Bayern CEO at the banquet following the semi-final first leg at Paris Saint-Germain, where the team battled back from 5-2 down to put themselves in a decent position. “They once again passed the test of character. They have courage, they have this desire and also, most of all, this belief in themselves that they can always make up these deficits.”

Dreesen credited this to the good work of head coach Kompany – but also, of course, Aaron Danks, who stood in for his suspended superior on the touchline in the 5-4 spectacle at Parc des Princes. The coaching team will be reunited in their usual composition for the return leg in eight days – “and together, I think we are able to win”, added Dreesen.

Thanks to Bayern’s fourth goal in Paris, it’s all to play for in the second leg. “Vincent will, as ever, prepare the team correctly to cancel out this deficit next week,” continued the CEO. “At home, with our fans behind us, in our Allianz Arena, I'm optimistic that we can maybe achieve something great.”

More post-match reaction from Paris: