Bayern Stars Surprise Manager with Early Arrival After Champions League Triumph
Following their long-awaited away victory in the Champions League, the Bayern Munich players left their manager in astonishment.
"Today, everything is a bit unusual with the arrival. The team would have been here first. We’ve never had that before," Board Chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen noted in his late-night banquet speech at the team hotel. He then addressed the team under manager Vincent Kompany after their 2-1 victory over Celtic Glasgow.
"Obviously, you’re in a hurry so that we can also get back into a phase of rest in time before the tough game on Saturday. If I look into Vincent’s eyes, he’s just agreed with me," Dreesen said after the first-leg success in the playoffs. This provides an excellent chance for Bayern to advance to the Round of 16 in the second leg in Munich next Tuesday.
However, before that, the Bundesliga summit at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday awaits, where Bayern has almost a match point for the championship with eight points lead over the double winners.
Dreesen was delighted by the first genuine away win in Europe’s premier competition since December 2023 at Manchester United, excluding the 5-1 victory in Gelsenkirchen against Shakhtar Donetsk at the end of last year. Former Premier League professionals Michael Olise (45th minute) and Harry Kane (49th minute) converted Bayern’s dominance in Glasgow into goals upon their return to the island.
At the back, the defense around outstanding defensive chief Dayot Upamecano was only breached by Daizen Maeda (79th minute). The French Bayern defender was subsequently named Man of the Match.
"It was a very tough game in a great stadium and with a great opponent, but we won and are satisfied. We played very well, we defended a lot at the back," said the 26-year-old, who had impressed as an assist provider before Olise’s 1-0 goal.
The fact that the often-criticized Upamecano was able to perform at his best pleased his team-mates and management in equal measure. "I’ve seen him very stable and strong throughout the season," said Sporting Director Max Eberl. "Upa is an outstanding central defender for me, and he showed that today. And when a defender becomes Man of the Match, it has a special significance, because it usually doesn’t happen."
Kompany Praises Team Spirit
Coach Kompany praised the team spirit: "I’m very proud of the team. We had a great attitude, and we were very disciplined. We knew it would be difficult, but we stuck to our plan and got the win."
Bayern Munich is now in a great position to reach the quarterfinals. However, Kompany warned: "We’re not there yet. We have to stay focused and do our job in the second leg."
The second leg will take place on Tuesday, March 14, in Munich. Bayern Munich needs at least a draw to reach the quarterfinals.
