Head coach Alexander Blessin: “If you only lose 1-0 in the end, you’ve already done a lot right overall. We only allowed a few chances to score and found our way into the game really well in the first 20 minutes. We knew we wouldn’t have many chances out of the game. We also knew that we might have to take a corner to have a great chance. We had a few corners, which not many teams can do against Bayern. We get the ball in counter-pressing and then lose it again. Musiala intervenes and scores a fantastic goal. We should have had better communication and cleared the ball sooner. We said at half-time that we wanted to remain stable and then open up the last ten minutes to try everything again. Not much happened after the game. I’m positive that we left everything on the pitch. I can’t blame the team. Losing with the narrowest of results is bitter. We did a lot of things right, we just have to get the points somewhere else.”
Jackson Irvine: “It’s a bit frustrating. A moment from a world-class player decided the game. It was a tough game in which we invested a lot. It was very close to what we wanted. We knew we wouldn’t get many chances. Defensively we were very stable overall. We had our moments up front in the first half. The fans saw that we were there. After the break it was no longer enough. Games like this don’t decide the season. But you have to see what you can take from such games in order to improve.”
Hauke Wahl: “The disappointment is initially very big. We allowed very, very little, Bayern only had one or two really good chances. We did a lot to ensure that the game could tip our way. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to get the game on our side and are of course disappointed. We showed that we look good even against a team like Bayern Munich and that despite not having much possession we still have the opportunity to get something.”
Carlo Boukhalfa: “We did well, in the end one situation decides the game. The individual class also plays a role; not many people shoot that way. We can solve the scene before the goal better and maybe just knock the ball away. If you want to take something away, you have to play a perfect game. Today one situation cost us a point. It’s sobering that we didn’t get a point today, but we’ll keep going. But we can take a lot of positive things from the game. The fact that we can keep up with the best teams is encouraging. We defended really well once again. But the game also makes us hungry. We will continue and want to get points.”
Oladapo Afolayan: “We played a good game and had chances to get back into the game. Bayern knew that it would be difficult to win against us. You could see that in the reaction after the final whistle.”
Johannes Eggestein: “We fought and threw everything into it. The fans were sensational and gave us great support. Ultimately it was a dream goal from Musiala that decided the game. Overall, we defended well and played a good game overall. It was really fun. The way we defend compactly is really good. As promoted teams, we are one of the best defenses in the Bundesliga. It’s definitely fun, so as a striker I’ll naturally give myself over to it. Today it was definitely to be expected that there would be fewer chances going forward.”
Vincent Kompany (head coach Bayern Munich): “First of all, we received a great welcome in Hamburg. We knew it was a special and special place here. So different from others in the world. We played against a team with very high energy, a lot of compactness and discipline. Even after our goal, St. Pauli remained patient with their game. In the end they tried to increase the pressure. The win today is worth a lot, especially considering the games between Leverkusen and Dortmund. There are no easy games and today it wasn’t an easy game for us.”
(hb/ls)
Photos: FC St. Pauli / Witters
