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FC Bayern Munich's road to Wembley was concluded on a night of high spirits and with a demonstration of strength as the German team wrapped up a 3-0 away win over FC Barcelona coming on the back of a celebrated 4-0 victory in the first-leg match of the Champions League semi-finals. Bayern's opponent in London on 25 May 2013 will be Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund, who had booked their place in the final by beating Real Madrid the night before by 4-3 on aggregate.
Hardly ever seriously tested against Barcelona, Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was nevertheless always there when needed. On DFB.de, Neuer speaks about FC Bayern's performances against Barça, his team's prospects for the final, and the significance of the first-ever "German" European Cup final for German football.
Question: Congratulations, Manuel, on going through to the final! A 3-0 away win, no goal conceded over two semi-final ties – would you have thought this to be possible?
Manuel Neuer: Not straight after the draw, I didn't! But we know we're solid in the back, and that our strikers have sufficient quality to score a goal or two, whatever the circumstances. However, scoring seven against Barça and keeping a clean sheet, that's truly exceptional.
Question: How's the mood in the dressing room?
Neuer: Truth be told, and without wishing to come across as presumptuous, we did expect us to go through, I mean after the result in first-leg match that wasn't such huge surprise any more. That said, everybody was jumping for joy. Beating Barcelona 3-0 on their home turf is a mind-blowing thing, even for us players. And before you ask – yes, I think I've seen a few crates of beer standing there…
Question: Are FC Bayern favourites now to win the UCL final, if not the triple crown of domestic championship, Cup, and European Cup?
Neuer: Well, I wouldn't rule it out. We're German champions, and there are two finals to go. We'll do everything we can to win both trophies, but does that make us favourites? I don't think so.
Question: Looking back at the season so far, would you say it's an advantage for you to know how Borussia Dortmund can be beaten?
Neuer: Well, we did beat them 1-0 in the DFB Cup quarter-final, but that's water under the bridge and I wouldn't speak of any "advantage". It's going to be a contest between equals, in every respect. We may have played a better Bundesliga season, but Dortmund have had some outstanding games internationally and more than deserve being in Wembley. At the end of the day, it'll come down to form on the night. The odds are fifty-fifty.
Question: Would you have preferred Real Madrid to be your opponents?
Neuer: Not necessarily. Whichever team deserves to go through, we're happy to play against.
Question: Are you worried that what could be a triumphant season for FC Bayern might be marred by a defeat against Dortmund in London?
Neuer: Don't forget that we lost a Champions League match, against Bate Borissow. As I say, it'll come down to day form. Every team wants to win! Last season's defeats have taught us a few helpful lessons. And that's the source of motivation that drives us on. We've got that trophy in our sights now!
Question: Were you in any way surprised at FC Barcelona's performance tonight?
Neuer: We knew they're a bit vulnerable in the back. But we didn't think it would be so easy to exploit their weaker spots by winning back possession and catching them on the counter deep in their own half.
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Question: In a nutshell – were FC Bayern so strong, or were FC Barcelona so weak?
Neuer: I think we were pretty strong over two matches.
Question: What do two German club teams in a European Cup final mean for German football?
Neuer: That's an extraordinary achievement, but one that hasn't come from out of nowhere. It's really the result of a lot of hard work invested over the last few years, at the DFB, at the clubs, and in the Bundesliga. German club football is on the rise, no doubt about it, but it was a question of time. As to the German national team, it may take a while yet before we win another major trophy, but two German clubs in the Champions League final is no coincidence.
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FC Bayern Munich's road to Wembley was concluded on a night of high spirits and with a demonstration of strength as the German team wrapped up a 3-0 away win over FC Barcelona coming on the back of a celebrated 4-0 victory in the first-leg match of the Champions League semi-finals. Bayern's opponent in London on 25 May 2013 will be Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund, who had booked their place in the final by beating Real Madrid the night before by 4-3 on aggregate.
Hardly ever seriously tested against Barcelona, Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was nevertheless always there when needed. On DFB.de, Neuer speaks about FC Bayern's performances against Barça, his team's prospects for the final, and the significance of the first-ever "German" European Cup final for German football.
Question: Congratulations, Manuel, on going through to the final! A 3-0 away win, no goal conceded over two semi-final ties – would you have thought this to be possible?
Manuel Neuer: Not straight after the draw, I didn't! But we know we're solid in the back, and that our strikers have sufficient quality to score a goal or two, whatever the circumstances. However, scoring seven against Barça and keeping a clean sheet, that's truly exceptional.
Question: How's the mood in the dressing room?
Neuer: Truth be told, and without wishing to come across as presumptuous, we did expect us to go through, I mean after the result in first-leg match that wasn't such huge surprise any more. That said, everybody was jumping for joy. Beating Barcelona 3-0 on their home turf is a mind-blowing thing, even for us players. And before you ask – yes, I think I've seen a few crates of beer standing there…
Question: Are FC Bayern favourites now to win the UCL final, if not the triple crown of domestic championship, Cup, and European Cup?
Neuer: Well, I wouldn't rule it out. We're German champions, and there are two finals to go. We'll do everything we can to win both trophies, but does that make us favourites? I don't think so.
Question: Looking back at the season so far, would you say it's an advantage for you to know how Borussia Dortmund can be beaten?
Neuer: Well, we did beat them 1-0 in the DFB Cup quarter-final, but that's water under the bridge and I wouldn't speak of any "advantage". It's going to be a contest between equals, in every respect. We may have played a better Bundesliga season, but Dortmund have had some outstanding games internationally and more than deserve being in Wembley. At the end of the day, it'll come down to form on the night. The odds are fifty-fifty.
Question: Would you have preferred Real Madrid to be your opponents?
Neuer: Not necessarily. Whichever team deserves to go through, we're happy to play against.
Question: Are you worried that what could be a triumphant season for FC Bayern might be marred by a defeat against Dortmund in London?
Neuer: Don't forget that we lost a Champions League match, against Bate Borissow. As I say, it'll come down to day form. Every team wants to win! Last season's defeats have taught us a few helpful lessons. And that's the source of motivation that drives us on. We've got that trophy in our sights now!
Question: Were you in any way surprised at FC Barcelona's performance tonight?
Neuer: We knew they're a bit vulnerable in the back. But we didn't think it would be so easy to exploit their weaker spots by winning back possession and catching them on the counter deep in their own half.
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Question: In a nutshell – were FC Bayern so strong, or were FC Barcelona so weak?
Neuer: I think we were pretty strong over two matches.
Question: What do two German club teams in a European Cup final mean for German football?
Neuer: That's an extraordinary achievement, but one that hasn't come from out of nowhere. It's really the result of a lot of hard work invested over the last few years, at the DFB, at the clubs, and in the Bundesliga. German club football is on the rise, no doubt about it, but it was a question of time. As to the German national team, it may take a while yet before we win another major trophy, but two German clubs in the Champions League final is no coincidence.
