Bastian Schweinsteiger and his FC Bayern teammates no doubt pictured the Bundesliga restart going a little differently. The World Champion couldn’t help his side avoid a deserved 4-1 loss away to second-placed VfL Wolfsburg in a thrilling contest.
After 2015’s first competitive game, the 30-year-old spoke about the match against the Wolves and its effect on FCB’s lead at the top of the table. He also looked ahead to Tuesday’s meeting with Schalke 04.
Question: Mr. Schweinsteiger, what do you think are the reasons behind this heavy defeat?
Bastian Schweinsteiger: We became disorganised with our attacks. We weren’t compact enough and were caught on the counter.
Question: Why weren’t the team as compact as they were in the first half of the season?
Schweinsteiger: Maybe because every player failed to take that extra step. We weren’t compact enough as a team. We have to analyse that and do better in the next game against Schalke. Even though we lost 4-1, we did have good moments in the game.
Question: Can an in-form Wolfsburg still be a danger to FC Bayern’s title hopes?
Schweinsteiger: Wolfsburg are a very good team. They’re not second for nothing. They’re also capable of playing counterattacking football like that. They did really well.
Bastian Schweinsteiger and his FC Bayern teammates no doubt pictured the Bundesliga restart going a little differently. The World Champion couldn’t help his side avoid a deserved 4-1 loss away to second-placed VfL Wolfsburg in a thrilling contest.
After 2015’s first competitive game, the 30-year-old spoke about the match against the Wolves and its effect on FCB’s lead at the top of the table. He also looked ahead to Tuesday’s meeting with Schalke 04.
Question: Mr. Schweinsteiger, what do you think are the reasons behind this heavy defeat?
Bastian Schweinsteiger: We became disorganised with our attacks. We weren’t compact enough and were caught on the counter.
Question: Why weren’t the team as compact as they were in the first half of the season?
Schweinsteiger: Maybe because every player failed to take that extra step. We weren’t compact enough as a team. We have to analyse that and do better in the next game against Schalke. Even though we lost 4-1, we did have good moments in the game.
Question: Can an in-form Wolfsburg still be a danger to FC Bayern’s title hopes?
Schweinsteiger: Wolfsburg are a very good team. They’re not second for nothing. They’re also capable of playing counterattacking football like that. They did really well.
Question: How concerned are you about conceding four goals?
Schweinsteiger: I’m not. We have a team full of great players. We just have to be more compact when we have the ball, as well as when we’re defending.
Question: It was a fiery game. It that also a sign that FC Bayern have to take Wolfsburg seriously?
Schweinsteiger: It was fiery yes, but they were doing things like kicking the ball away. The referee said that he saw it, but he didn’t do anything. And then the situation with Xabi Alonso (pushed Maximilian Arnold, who had blocked a free kick) makes the game more heated.
Question: Are Wolfsburg turning into a new rival for FC Bayern?
Schweinsteiger: Wolfsburg are always capable of being up there, and that’s where they find themselves at the moment. Of course, they are one of our rivals, but we’re still eight points clear and it’s in our own hands. We just have to find our game again and then we’ll be fine.
Question: What do you think of Wolfsburg’s supposed move for Germany international André Schürrle?
Schweinsteiger: It’s great for the Bundesliga. You can tell that something is really starting to happen here. Wolfsburg have a good team, but that’s always been the case. After all, they won the title in 2009.
Question: What response do you expect in the Schalke game on Tuesday?
Schweinsteiger: We have to be more compact, including when we have the ball. We also have to try and control the game more and simply tuck away the chances that we create.
