After the defending champion’s big victory in what felt like the cup final, beaming Leverkusen players could be seen everywhere in the Munich Arena. Coach Xabi Alonso was “very proud” of his team: “Winning here against Bayern, who have played very well this season, is great,” enthused the Spaniard after the 1-0 (0-0) win with the majority.
After reaching the quarter-finals, which was favored by an early red card for Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, sports director Simon Rolfes felt that the double winner had “a different winning mentality” – and gave an optimistic forecast: “We will be like that Win a lot of games.”
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has a strong record against FC Bayern. (© Tom Weller/dpa)
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Joker Tella: “My most important goal”
Match winner Nathan Tella declared his decisive goal in the 69th minute the “most important goal” of his career with a broad smile. “That gives me a lot of self-confidence,” said the 25-year-old. Despite his manageable height of 1.73 meters, Tella hit his head a few minutes after being substituted on, surprising Rolfes: “Nathan is not yet known for being a header monster,” joked the sports director.
The joker stings: Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella celebrates after his header goal. (© Tom Weller/dpa)
Under Bayern specialist Alonso, Bayer has not lost any of the last five games against the record champions from Munich. “In the end we are super happy that we are in the quarter-finals,” said the Spaniard, who once played for Bayern himself.
Rolfes on the championship title: “The season is still long”
The DFB Cup should be won again in the new year. “And the Bundesliga season is still long,” said Rolfes aggressively after the win in Munich. Bayer, third in the table, is seven points behind the still unbeaten leaders from Munich. “I don’t copy anything in football,” said Rolfes about the fight for the championship title.
Jonathan Tah (2nd from right) sees self-confidence as an important component in the increasing successes against FC Bayern. (© Sven Hoppe/dpa)
In Leverkusen’s ecstasy, captain Jonathan Tah pointed out the mental component of the successes against the supposedly invincible FC Bayern. «We just play with a lot of self-confidence. A certain self-image has developed that we are not afraid, but are courageous, that we try to play our game,” said the national player, who would have liked to move to Munich in the summer. “It has a lot to do with the head, with self-confidence. Of course we also have the quality to keep up at this level.”
Goal scorer Schick injured
However, the injury to striker Patrik Schick was bitter for the Leverkusen team. The Czech came into the game in the second half and had to be substituted quickly. «We’ll see. He felt a bit of something in his calf. “It doesn’t look good right now, but we have to wait and see,” reported Alonso.
Rolfes expressed hope that the striker’s injury might not be that serious. After all, Schick left the field immediately after feeling something in his left calf.
