Following their impressive 4-0 victory over FC Barcelona in yesterday's UEFA Champions League semi-final, FC Bayern Munich are only steps away from booking their place in the final scheduled to be played in the London Wembley Arena on 25 May 2013. The Bavarians' performance was a demonstration of speed, force, and resolve, but if one player deserves to be singled out, it would have to be forward Thomas Müller – not only did he score a brace himself (1-0 in the 25th minute, 4-0 in the 82nd minute), he was also instrumental in Mario Gomez's goal (2-0, 49th minute) and was decisively involved in Arjen Robben's 3-0 (73rd minute).
After a memorable semi-final first leg, the German international had every reason to face the media with a smile on his face. DFB.de's Maik Rosner listened in to the post-match Q&A.
Question: Thomas, could you have imagined such a result?
Thomas Müller: Not in my wildest dreams! But once the match had got under way, it kind of dawned on us that this could be a big night. We never let up, chased every ball, and ran our hearts out. And the final result is fantastic.
Question: 4-0 in the first-leg match – you're halfway there, aren't you?
Müller: You never know what happens in the second leg. We still need to play well. And don't forget that the Camp Nou pitch is a bit bigger, so to nip Barca's passing game in the bud, we'll literally have to run the extra mile. But being 4-0 ahead is a great foundation to build upon, and if we continue to work hard, chances are that we actually will go through. But football is a crazy game – look at the Dortmund match (editor's note: Dortmund's 3-2 win against Málaga, with two goals scored in stoppage time) where they scored two goals in the 90th minute. So theoretically, it's possible to score a total of 180 goals,right? (laughs)
Question: Is there anybody who can stop FC Bayern now?
Müller: I hope not! But as I said, anything can happen in football, so we mustn't let our guard down. We've just got to keep up the hard work, enjoy what we do on the pitch, and continue working for one another as a team.
Question: Just before your second goal, weren't you signalling to come off?
Müller: Yes, all I could do was stand around in the goal-box and tap it in! Seriously, I had received a knock, was beginning to have muscular problems and needed to be taken off. But then I realised we were in possession, so I had to make sure not to be offside. And suddenly I feel "hey, this could be a good chance coming up", and as a forward you're guided by your goal-scoring instinct. After that, the actual scoring was easy – an incredible feeling!
Question: Everybody's saying that Bayern performed outstandingly, but are you not a little surprised at the result and your team's sheer superiority?
Müller: Let me sound a note of warning here – we still need two big-time efforts to get our hands on that trophy! Prior to the game, there was no way of knowing that we'd play so well. I mean in any sport, form on the night is a major factor. But we had played well against Juventus Turin when it really mattered. In fact, the good thing about this team is we play well even when it doesn't matter!
Question: What is your explanation for how this team have developed?
Müller: We're on a roll, simple as that. The entire squad works really well, from first-team regulars to subs. So it's not really such a miracle that we've won this game. Having said that, the actual margin does come as a surprise. The best thing, however, is that we didn't allow them any chance to score and managed to keep a clean sheet.
Question: At various points in the game, Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben played like full-backs. Would you say that discipline in defence is Bayern's key to success?
Müller: It seems that it took two seasons without any title or trophy for us to realise just what kind of effort you've got to put in these days to be successful. It's something you don't forget. Now, every single player has internalised that if you want to succeed, you'd better track back and help out defending. It's a philosophy that makes us stand out from the opposition in big games like these, and the rewards are there for all to see.
Question: How happy are you about your two goals?
Müller (laughs): Happy? Not at all!
Question: Any creature comforts you're going to treat yourself to?
Müller: I'll go home now and actually look forward to the physios taking care of that knock I have received. Tomorrow it's off to training where I'll surely be the centre of celebrations (laughs), and then there's a Bundesliga fixture coming up on Saturday.
Question: How would you rate your - let's say: borderline - tackle of Jordi Alba seconds before the third goal?
Müller: That's the kind of physicality that's part of the international game, so I don't think a whistle would have been warranted. And besides – if for once I do something intelligent in a match, I deserve to be let off lightly, don't you think?
Question: Your comment on Mario Götze joining FC Bayern from Borussia Dortmund?
Müller: We players have of course all heard about it, but let's just finish this season first. He's an outstanding player, a German national team player no less, a great character, but I really can't say a lot more at this stage. There will also be a new coach next season, but that's another issue we're not going to address before 1 July. I think we're well advised to just concentrate on the immediate future.
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Following their impressive 4-0 victory over FC Barcelona in yesterday's UEFA Champions League semi-final, FC Bayern Munich are only steps away from booking their place in the final scheduled to be played in the London Wembley Arena on 25 May 2013. The Bavarians' performance was a demonstration of speed, force, and resolve, but if one player deserves to be singled out, it would have to be forward Thomas Müller – not only did he score a brace himself (1-0 in the 25th minute, 4-0 in the 82nd minute), he was also instrumental in Mario Gomez's goal (2-0, 49th minute) and was decisively involved in Arjen Robben's 3-0 (73rd minute).
After a memorable semi-final first leg, the German international had every reason to face the media with a smile on his face. DFB.de's Maik Rosner listened in to the post-match Q&A.
Question: Thomas, could you have imagined such a result?
Thomas Müller: Not in my wildest dreams! But once the match had got under way, it kind of dawned on us that this could be a big night. We never let up, chased every ball, and ran our hearts out. And the final result is fantastic.
Question: 4-0 in the first-leg match – you're halfway there, aren't you?
Müller: You never know what happens in the second leg. We still need to play well. And don't forget that the Camp Nou pitch is a bit bigger, so to nip Barca's passing game in the bud, we'll literally have to run the extra mile. But being 4-0 ahead is a great foundation to build upon, and if we continue to work hard, chances are that we actually will go through. But football is a crazy game – look at the Dortmund match (editor's note: Dortmund's 3-2 win against Málaga, with two goals scored in stoppage time) where they scored two goals in the 90th minute. So theoretically, it's possible to score a total of 180 goals,right? (laughs)
Question: Is there anybody who can stop FC Bayern now?
Müller: I hope not! But as I said, anything can happen in football, so we mustn't let our guard down. We've just got to keep up the hard work, enjoy what we do on the pitch, and continue working for one another as a team.
Question: Just before your second goal, weren't you signalling to come off?
Müller: Yes, all I could do was stand around in the goal-box and tap it in! Seriously, I had received a knock, was beginning to have muscular problems and needed to be taken off. But then I realised we were in possession, so I had to make sure not to be offside. And suddenly I feel "hey, this could be a good chance coming up", and as a forward you're guided by your goal-scoring instinct. After that, the actual scoring was easy – an incredible feeling!
Question: Everybody's saying that Bayern performed outstandingly, but are you not a little surprised at the result and your team's sheer superiority?
Müller: Let me sound a note of warning here – we still need two big-time efforts to get our hands on that trophy! Prior to the game, there was no way of knowing that we'd play so well. I mean in any sport, form on the night is a major factor. But we had played well against Juventus Turin when it really mattered. In fact, the good thing about this team is we play well even when it doesn't matter!
Question: What is your explanation for how this team have developed?
Müller: We're on a roll, simple as that. The entire squad works really well, from first-team regulars to subs. So it's not really such a miracle that we've won this game. Having said that, the actual margin does come as a surprise. The best thing, however, is that we didn't allow them any chance to score and managed to keep a clean sheet.
Question: At various points in the game, Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben played like full-backs. Would you say that discipline in defence is Bayern's key to success?
Müller: It seems that it took two seasons without any title or trophy for us to realise just what kind of effort you've got to put in these days to be successful. It's something you don't forget. Now, every single player has internalised that if you want to succeed, you'd better track back and help out defending. It's a philosophy that makes us stand out from the opposition in big games like these, and the rewards are there for all to see.
Question: How happy are you about your two goals?
Müller (laughs): Happy? Not at all!
Question: Any creature comforts you're going to treat yourself to?
Müller: I'll go home now and actually look forward to the physios taking care of that knock I have received. Tomorrow it's off to training where I'll surely be the centre of celebrations (laughs), and then there's a Bundesliga fixture coming up on Saturday.
Question: How would you rate your - let's say: borderline - tackle of Jordi Alba seconds before the third goal?
Müller: That's the kind of physicality that's part of the international game, so I don't think a whistle would have been warranted. And besides – if for once I do something intelligent in a match, I deserve to be let off lightly, don't you think?
Question: Your comment on Mario Götze joining FC Bayern from Borussia Dortmund?
Müller: We players have of course all heard about it, but let's just finish this season first. He's an outstanding player, a German national team player no less, a great character, but I really can't say a lot more at this stage. There will also be a new coach next season, but that's another issue we're not going to address before 1 July. I think we're well advised to just concentrate on the immediate future.
