Bayern had to work hard for Saturday’s 3-1 victory away to VfB Stuttgart. “We committed too many fouls and allowed free-kicks and corners as a consequence. We made it complicated for ourselves,” said Pep Guardiola, who was pleased with the performance especially in the second half. Franck Ribéry stressed the psychological dimension to Saturday's success.
REACTION TO STUTTGART V BAYERN
Pep Guardiola: “We committed too many fouls and allowed free-kicks and corners as a consequence. We made it complicated for ourselves. But after the first goal we did well, especially in the second half. We attacked better, our forwards moved better. Now we need three more victories and one draw to achieve something no team has ever achieved in Germany.”
David Alaba: “Stuttgart did very well before the opener. They were very compact, that's why it wasn't easy for us. I expect a very intense game in Lisbon on Wednesday. We’ll have to give it everything.”
Franck Ribéry: “At the beginning it wasn't easy for us. We didn't have much space, so the first goal was very important. We played very well in the second half. The victory boosts our confidence before the match in Lisbon on Wednesday.”
Jürgen Kramny (VfB Stuttgart coach): “You could see our plan was to cover the full width of the pitch against Bayern with our back five. But we were too far away once, and Bayern made the most of it, when Georg Niedermeier wasn’t deep enough and committed a foul. After the break we were a little too passive, we defended a little too deep. After our goal we came close to scoring the equaliser, but couldn't do any better.”
