Bayern secured a draw in Der Klassiker away Borussia Dortmund thanks to a late header by Jamal Musiala. This came after an incredibly intense and hard-fought duel between two of German football’s top teams. “We weren’t on our best level in the first half. In the second half, we showed character, we had speed, dribblings, combinations and created chances,” head coach Vincent Kompany summarised. “The first half wasn’t how we want to play. However, we came out well for the second half, created many chances and showed mentality,” goalscorer Musiala commented. fcbayern.com has more of the post-match reaction.
Reaction to the game away at Borussia Dortmund
Max Eberl (board member for sport): “In the first half, we weren’t involved or precise enough and didn’t show that 100 percent quality of past weeks. Dortmund scored the opener from their only chance and we had to play catch-up. I have great respect for the way the team fought back against the stadium and a strong-defending Borussia Dortmund in the second half. Initially, we were unable to score from our chances, but this also shows the character of the team. When you create so many chances and fail to score, it’s easy to give up. Our team didn’t do that. That’s why the equaliser was totally deserved. We showed many positive character attributes and good morale.”
Christoph Freund (sporting director): “It was a very intense and interesting game of football. It went back and forth. There weren’t that many good chances in the first half, but Dortmund scored a great goal. In the second half, we were clearly the better team, we wanted to score the equalizer and win this game. The equaliser was more than deserved. It wasn’t easy, but the team did a great job and showed great character.”
Vincent Kompany: “The first minutes of the first half weren’t bad. However, we weren’t precise enough in possession and lost the ball too often. That allowed Dortmund to gain momentum. We weren’t on our best level. In the second half, we showed character, we had speed, dribblings, combinations and created chances. I was happy we scored the goal in such a moment. Afterwards, we kept pushing forward, and that is also a part of the team’s character. It was a good game for the Bundesliga. Both teams showed intensity.”
Manuel Neuer: “Generally speaking, we’re never satisfied with a point against Borussia Dortmund. However, we have to accept it today. We were the better team but we were unable to reward ourselves. We had enough chances to grab three points. Dortmund still have to travel to Munich, and then we want to win the game. We weren’t very good in the first half today. We’ve been better than that recently. At home against a very strong opponent from Leverkusen, we want to show that again.”
Thomas Müller: “We were annoyed because we were unable to make our mark on the game in the first half like we wanted to and like we did in the second half. We had good chances in the second half. I enjoyed the way we played. We needed Manu [Neuer] one time. Dortmund fought back really well, but they knew it was going to be a long final half hour. Let’s put it this way: It was a deserved draw, and now we move forward.”
Joshua Kimmich: “Both teams will go home somewhat happy with that point today. In my opinion, we weren’t good in the first half. We didn’t show enough intensity against the ball. In possession, we weren’t precise enough. We were better in the second half. Dortmund had one more great counter-attacking chance with [Marcel] Sabitzer, but we could’ve equalised beforehand. In the end, we even had a great chance to win this game. Following the equaliser, Dortmund had little left to offer.”
Jamal Musiala: “The first half wasn’t how we want to play. However, we came out of the locker room well, created many chances and showed our mentality. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the win. These games happen. It’s important to take a point away from today. My goal came from a very good cross. I always try to be in the box and I placed the ball nicely into the corner. I’m very happy. My technique was good, which is why this one makes me happier than the goal I headed in the DFB Cup. Now, we can focus on Leverkusen. That’s an important game. We need fresh legs, need to go full steam ahead and be alert for 90 minutes.”
Dayot Upamecano: “We had to score a goal and reacted very well in the second half. Of course, we could’ve played better in the first half. In the end, we have one point and that’s good.”
Reaction from the Borussia Dortmund camp
Nuri Şahin (head coach): “We wanted to win this game. That’s what we expect of ourselves, but you have to be realistic. In the final minutes, I had the feeling we just had to finish this game off defensively. I saw a very good Dortmund team today and I’m proud of the guys. We did a good job. Bayern have lots of quality. They changed the system at half-time and were able to push us back deep a few times. However, we had some good counter-attacking opportunities too. If we had made it 2-0, we would’ve left as winners. In the end, you can say it was a deserved 1-1 draw.”
Nico Schlotterbeck: “The bottom line is it was a fair draw. Bayern pressured us well in the second half. When you’re in the lead for so long, you obviously want to win. The team invested everything today. I was extremely nervous going into the game. I got to captain Borussia Dortmund at the age of 24. That’s an incredible feeling.”
Jamie Gittens: “It’s great to play here. It gives you energy. It was an intense and fast-paced game. For the goal, I noticed I had space, so I just ran forward and scored.”
Read about the most important moments in the match report:
Musiala header earns point in classics
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