Holger Badstuber was FC Bayern München’s only learned centre back on matchday 20 after injuries had sidelined Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez, Mehdi Benatia and new signing Serdar Tasci. In the end, Bayern’s defensive held up and kept a clean sheet, but at the same time they were held to a draw with their attack unable to break the deadlock.
Question: Mr. Badstuber, the 0-0 draw in Leverkusen was only the third league game for Bayern this season that didn’t end in a victory, following a goalless draw at Eintracht Frankfurt and a 3-1 defeat in Gladbach.
Holger Badstuber: I’m slightly disappointed, because we could’ve takes a big step today and increased our lead over Dortmund. We missed out on an opportunity and that’s not something to be satisfied about.
Question: Was the draw a deserved result?
Badstuber: It wasn’t an easy game for us. It was very intense and Leverkusen always play with aggression, which we expected. It was one of those games that went straight to the point, with many fouls and many interruptions. We knew we had to put up a fight. Keeping a clean sheet against a top striker duo in Kießling and Chicharito was very important. The pitch wasn’t in the best condition, which meant that we couldn’t execute our passing game as well. In the second half this worked out better and we had chances to score. If we had finished them we could’ve won.
Question: Like last weekend during your 2-0 victory in Hoffenheim, Bayern’s centre back duo consisted of Holger Badstuber and Joshua Kimmich. A setup we will see more often in the future?
Badstuber: We need continue working with each other and try to compensate for the missing players. Joshua has done a solid job but we are a team and it gets much easier for us when the entire team helps out defensively.
Question: You are often cited as Bayern’s new defensive leader following the lengthy injury absences that Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez face. Do you feel that as well?
Badstuber: No, I just want to help my team, give them impulses, play my game and of course keep a clean sheet. So far it’s worked out well but we need to continue working hard together. Strong opponents await us and we’ll need to defend well in those games.
Question: Sporting director Matthias Sammer said that the team will move closer together after the various media reports with a negative connotation piled up recently. Was today’s performance a confirmation of that statement?
Badstuber: I don’t know, but if we are successful it will be that way automatically. We need a real tight unit when the big games come up, not just players on the pitch - we need everybody. It is possible that we then move closer together. The important games will increase that feeling.
Question: Was Dortmund’s 0-0 draw from earlier today at the back of your minds?
Badstuber: Of course we heard about it. We should’ve taken this chance to increase our lead, but we didn’t and that’s why we are disappointed. Our goal was to extend our advantage.
Question: Your next game is on Wednesday at VfL Bochum in the DFB Cup quarterfinal. What do you expect from this game?
Badstuber: A difficult match. Bochum will have nothing to lose, but obviously we want to reach the next round.
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Holger Badstuber was FC Bayern München’s only learned centre back on matchday 20 after injuries had sidelined Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez, Mehdi Benatia and new signing Serdar Tasci. In the end, Bayern’s defensive held up and kept a clean sheet, but at the same time they were held to a draw with their attack unable to break the deadlock.
Question: Mr. Badstuber, the 0-0 draw in Leverkusen was only the third league game for Bayern this season that didn’t end in a victory, following a goalless draw at Eintracht Frankfurt and a 3-1 defeat in Gladbach.
Holger Badstuber: I’m slightly disappointed, because we could’ve takes a big step today and increased our lead over Dortmund. We missed out on an opportunity and that’s not something to be satisfied about.
Question: Was the draw a deserved result?
Badstuber: It wasn’t an easy game for us. It was very intense and Leverkusen always play with aggression, which we expected. It was one of those games that went straight to the point, with many fouls and many interruptions. We knew we had to put up a fight. Keeping a clean sheet against a top striker duo in Kießling and Chicharito was very important. The pitch wasn’t in the best condition, which meant that we couldn’t execute our passing game as well. In the second half this worked out better and we had chances to score. If we had finished them we could’ve won.
Question: Like last weekend during your 2-0 victory in Hoffenheim, Bayern’s centre back duo consisted of Holger Badstuber and Joshua Kimmich. A setup we will see more often in the future?
Badstuber: We need continue working with each other and try to compensate for the missing players. Joshua has done a solid job but we are a team and it gets much easier for us when the entire team helps out defensively.
Question: You are often cited as Bayern’s new defensive leader following the lengthy injury absences that Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez face. Do you feel that as well?
Badstuber: No, I just want to help my team, give them impulses, play my game and of course keep a clean sheet. So far it’s worked out well but we need to continue working hard together. Strong opponents await us and we’ll need to defend well in those games.
Question: Sporting director Matthias Sammer said that the team will move closer together after the various media reports with a negative connotation piled up recently. Was today’s performance a confirmation of that statement?
Badstuber: I don’t know, but if we are successful it will be that way automatically. We need a real tight unit when the big games come up, not just players on the pitch - we need everybody. It is possible that we then move closer together. The important games will increase that feeling.
Question: Was Dortmund’s 0-0 draw from earlier today at the back of your minds?
Badstuber: Of course we heard about it. We should’ve taken this chance to increase our lead, but we didn’t and that’s why we are disappointed. Our goal was to extend our advantage.
Question: Your next game is on Wednesday at VfL Bochum in the DFB Cup quarterfinal. What do you expect from this game?
Badstuber: A difficult match. Bochum will have nothing to lose, but obviously we want to reach the next round.
