FC Bayern are where they want to be again at Säbener Straße in the Champions League: directly in the round of 16, without any detours and with the right to play at home in the second leg. After the 2:1 away win at PSV Eindhoven, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen summed up this development in his banquet speech – with palpable pride and a clear sideways glance at the competition
Late on Wednesday evening, after the successful conclusion of the league phase, Jan-Christian Dreesen used the festive setting to take stock. „Let’s raise our glasses together to reaching the round of 16 without any detours,“ said the CEO, alluding directly to the previous season. Back then, FC Bayern only finished twelfth and had to take a detour via the knockout play-offs
For Dreesen, the difference to the current season is obvious – and anything but self-evident. „If someone had told us a year ago that we would reach the round of 16 in second place, many would probably have expressed doubts,“ he explained. The new competition format is particularly challenging. „We saw last year how difficult this phase of the league is, how demanding this new format is.“
Dreesen deliberately used a prominent comparison to classify his own performance: „We saw that again today with Benfica against Real, who dropped from 3rd to 9th place and therefore have to go into the play-offs.“ For the Bayern boss, this underlines exactly how quickly everything can turn around in this format – and how valuable a direct place in the round of 16 is
„Success follows“ – praise for team and coach
Dreesen attributes the fact that Munich achieved this goal primarily to the team’s unity. „We didn’t want to experience what we had last year again – namely this extra round with two games. We succeeded,“ he emphasized. He also particularly highlighted the work of Vincent Kompany. „Today we saw a team again – also in a starting line-up that shows that our coach trusts everyone in this team – that convinces as a team, where everyone fights for everyone else.“
Dreesen then became almost philosophical: „Success follows. Success follows your quality, your willingness, your discipline and this self-sacrificing work for each individual. And that is something very special.“ Words that not only convey praise, but also a clear expectation. The path is right, but it should not end there
After the performance in Eindhoven, the CEO took the opportunity to explicitly highlight individual players. Jamal Musiala, who scored straight away on his comeback in the starting eleven, was a particular source of joy for Dreesen. „That really was a great joy today,“ he said of the international. Goalkeeper Jonas Urbig also received special praise after he initiated the winning goal with a long ball. „You certainly have a big percentage there,“ said Dreesen with a grin
Of course, Harry Kane, who scored his eighth goal of the Champions League season, was not to be missed. „Thank you very much, wonderful,“ were Dreesen’s words to the goalscorer – short but clear
Round of 16 at home – and big ambitions
An opponent from the quartet of Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta Bergamo or Olympiakos Piraeus now awaits in the round of 16 in March. Dreesen is looking forward to the duel with anticipation. „I’m very excited to see where we can fly or drive to then,“ he said. However, something else is crucial: „Second place gives us the right to play at home for all second legs of the knockout phase. And we will hopefully experience some knockout games.“
FC Bayern have not only established a good starting position with a strong league phase, but have also regained a piece of European sovereignty. Dreesen’s words clearly show how much this direct entry into the round of 16 is valued internally. After last year’s detour, the German record champions are back on track – and that is exactly what they wanted to celebrate on this evening.