Reaction to semi-final success in Leverkusen - Vincent Kompany: 'A massive gift for the club'

Finally back in Berlin! FC Bayern secured their place in the DFB Cup final with a 2-0 victory at Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Wednesday evening. “Berlin has been talked about since the first day I arrived at Bayern. It’s a massive gift for the club to get there again. You’re always occupied with the next match, but we’ll also enjoy this moment. It’s about titles – and we’re in the running for all of them,” said a delighted head coach Vincent Kompany after the final whistle. “I’ve missed Berlin. It’s always been a brilliant match there. It’s a historic day for the whole club,” said captain Manuel Neuer. fcbayern.com brings you the rest of the post-match reaction.

Reaction to the match at Bayer Leverkusen

Herbert Hainer, president: “We’re all happy. The win was absolutely deserved; we should have scored a second or third goal in the first half, which would have made things a bit less nerve-wracking – as it was, we had to hold our breath a little. Overall, it was a clear and well-deserved victory. Now we’re looking forward to Berlin. Overall, the team is in top shape. We brought that dominance and joy back onto the field again today. The team has incredible camaraderie and a love for the game –you can really feel that in the changing room. We’re taking it one step at a time. The team is incredibly focused.”

Max Eberl, board member for sport: “We’re absolutely thrilled. In the first half, we saw an extremely dominant FC Bayern. The only thing we can criticise ourselves for is that we didn’t score more goals. It was a very important game and we’ve taken another step in the right direction. This team has always shown that it’s hungry for success.”

Vincent Kompany: “Berlin has been talked about since the first day I arrived at Bayern. It’s a massive gift for the club to get there again. You’re always occupied with the next match, but we’ll also enjoy this moment. It’s about titles – and we’re in the running for all of them. The most important thing was that we got through. The first half was very good from us – we didn’t concede anything and created chances. In the second half, Leverkusen came into the game more. They forced us to defend deep because they played good football.”

Manuel Neuer: “I’ve missed Berlin. It’s always been a brilliant match there. It’s a historic day for the whole club. My opposite number made some great saves today, we certainly could’ve scored more goals. That was motivation for me to make that one real save; I managed to turn it onto the post. It’s important that we’re in all competitions – in the two cup competitions and deservedly German champions. We have to concentrate on our games. We know the opponents in the Champions League. PSG is going to be a tough task but we’re ready.” 

Harry Kane: “It was a really strong performance from start to finish. The way we played and how we won the ball back high up the pitch led to good chances for us in the first and second half. The only thing we could’ve done better is score more goals. We kept them in the game. The last 10 minutes are then always a bit nervy, of course, but overall we had control. They didn’t create many chances.”

Josip Stanišić: “We’re pleased that we won the game – deservedly in the end. We played very well in the first half. We could’ve scored one or two more goals. In the second half it was an open game, although we hardly allowed them any chances. It’s awesome to be back in the final. It’s what we work towards all year.”

Reaction from Bayer Leverkusen:

Simon Rolfes (managing director sport): “They deserved to win, no question, but we could’ve made it harder for them. We had a period in the second half – just after the break – in which we did better and engaged them in more duels. That also unsettled them a bit. We didn’t do that enough, though, so the win is deserved.”

Kasper Hjulmand (coach): “They’re a top side. They put us under pressure from the start, and we didn’t find the right way to play against Bayern. That makes it very difficult because they keep coming forward. We turned the ball over a few times – there were five or six situations where we didn't handle the ball well. The pressure from Bayern was slightly lower in the second half and we were more in the game. Mark Flekken kept us in it. The last 20 minutes were a bit better and closer, but we only had two really good attempts. Of course we want to be play bravely, proactively, but there’s also another team – and today they were very, very strong. A lot is decided in the one-v-one situations in particular, and they were better there.”

Robert Andrich (captain): “Bayern were certainly superior in the first 45 minutes. We were also lucky to only be 1-0 behind. If you then score one by the 75th minute, it’s wide open again. When you play such a bad first half, you have to take it as a positive that it’s only 1-0. And if you then score, you’re back in the game. But overall, we have to be honest: Bayern were better.”

The match report: