FC Bayern put down a clear marker in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, celebrating an impressive 6-1 away win at Italian giants Atalanta Bergamo. Sporting director Max Eberl was suitably satisfied after the game – but also warned that there is still a long way to go to lift the trophy
In the mixed zone after the game, the 52-year-old praised the team’s performance, but also emphasized that the record champions must continue to work on their development
Eberl made it clear that the strong performance in Bergamo was no coincidence. FC Bayern had worked specifically to be in top form in the decisive phase of the season. „We wanted to be in form now in this phase. We wanted to refine what we had prepared a bit. Now we have done it in the first leg, the starting position is very, very good,“ explained the Bayern boss
Despite the comfortable situation, Eberl does not want to be overly euphoric: „I’m not – some say understated – but at the long end: I’m a sportsman and soccer has to be played,“ he clarified
The focus remains on winning every game
„It takes a bit more than that“
The sporting director also expressed his satisfaction with the course of the Champions League season so far. He is particularly impressed by Munich’s consistency. „I think today’s game, just like the one in Paris, just like the whole season we’ve been playing in the Champions League, is very stable and very good,“ emphasized Eberl
At the same time, the former Gladbach manager knows that more will be needed for the big triumph: „But we also know that it takes a bit more to win the Champions League,“ said Eberl
However, FC Bayern have already taken an important step with their clear success in Bergamo: „In the round of 16, we have now taken the first very, very big step towards the quarter-finals.“
Kompany demands the maximum
According to Eberl, coach Vincent Kompany is also a decisive factor in the current development. The Belgian consistently demands the maximum from the team – both in training and in games. „The coach demands in training and in games that we always go to our limit – and the team shows that,“ explained Eberl
Not every game goes perfectly, but one characteristic in particular sets the team apart: „What we always bring is this willingness to run and fight back,“ emphasized the sporting director
This mentality was also evident in the convincing performance in Bergamo – and it is precisely this attitude that FC Bayern will also need in the upcoming games.