Saturday’s late kick-off in the Bundesliga saw Karim Bellarabi suffer a 1-0 defeat to league leaders Bayern München with his Bayer Leverkusen side. After the game in the Allianz Arena, the Germany international talked about the match, missed chances and Bayer 04’s upcoming games.
Question: Mr. Bellarabi, do you feel that a point against Bayern would have been deserved?
Karim Bellarabi: I think that we played well, not just in the first half but in the second too. Bayern didn’t have many chances. Franck Ribery did well for the goal. We’re well aware that when they get a chance, it ends up the back of the net almost 100 percent of the time. I had a huge opportunity in the third minute and if I put that away then it’s a completely different match.
Question: Your team didn’t quite get into the game in the second half. Was that down to Bayern’s tactical adjustments?
Bellarabi: We changed our system a little bit too. I think that we were better in the first half, but we tried our best after the break too. It’s always difficult to win against Bayern though.
Question: Do you think there is a side in the Bundesliga that can beat Bayern?
Bellarabi: We’ll have to wait and see. Bayern are a fantastic side and playing them isn’t easy.
Question: What did you make of your foul against Sebastian Rode just before full time? Some people were suggesting it should have been a red card.
Saturday’s late kick-off in the Bundesliga saw Karim Bellarabi suffer a 1-0 defeat to league leaders Bayern München with his Bayer Leverkusen side. After the game in the Allianz Arena, the Germany international talked about the match, missed chances and Bayer 04’s upcoming games.
Question: Mr. Bellarabi, do you feel that a point against Bayern would have been deserved?
Karim Bellarabi: I think that we played well, not just in the first half but in the second too. Bayern didn’t have many chances. Franck Ribery did well for the goal. We’re well aware that when they get a chance, it ends up the back of the net almost 100 percent of the time. I had a huge opportunity in the third minute and if I put that away then it’s a completely different match.
Question: Your team didn’t quite get into the game in the second half. Was that down to Bayern’s tactical adjustments?
Bellarabi: We changed our system a little bit too. I think that we were better in the first half, but we tried our best after the break too. It’s always difficult to win against Bayern though.
Question: Do you think there is a side in the Bundesliga that can beat Bayern?
Bellarabi: We’ll have to wait and see. Bayern are a fantastic side and playing them isn’t easy.
Question: What did you make of your foul against Sebastian Rode just before full time? Some people were suggesting it should have been a red card.
Bellarabi: I was trying to get the ball. I don’t know if I got some of it, but obviously I got some of my opponent too. It wasn’t the cleanest of challenges, but I think the yellow card is sufficient. I was caught in the face my Rafinha before that. Obviously you get a bit angry, but it wasn’t a tackle out of frustration.
Question: You’re up against Borussia Mönchengladbach next week. What are your thoughts going into that game?
Bellarabi: We know we’ll be facing tough opposition every weekend in the Bundesliga, so we will prepare for it properly. It will of course be a difficult match, but we will give it our best.
