After this premier class evening with a crazy Arsenal handball, FC Bayern feels like they are back in title mode. Returnee Kane dreams of a heartfelt game. A historical place should inspire.
London returnee Harry Kane smiled as his boss sent a nightly declaration of war on the Champions League competition at this glorious place in the Munich club’s history. “What can I say? Those who were said to be dead live longer,” said Jan-Christian Dreesen cheerfully summarizing the turbulent premier class evening.
After the 2-2 draw in the tricky quarter-final first leg at Arsenal, the CEO raved about FC Bayern’s “true face” – and at the same time demanded that the stars should now show this consistently. “And then everyone in Europe has to be careful of us.”
At least for Dreesen, the anger over a strange handball scene had disappeared late in the day. As is the case with London’s football hero Kane, who after this emotional evening wants to return to the city he loves in less than 50 days – then for the grand finale. “The dream of Wembley is still there,” explained the Tottenham icon.
Bayern evoke the spirit of their 2013 triumph
In the luxury hotel The Landmark, where the German record champions stayed eleven years ago during their Champions League triumph, Dreesen demonstrated his new confidence on the way to the final on June 1st after the draw against the Premier League table leaders. The location of the banquet was chosen for a reason, said Dreesen in the Grand Ballroom. “It should remind us of what we achieved here more than ten years ago. And it should inspire you, dear team, to revive this spirit again.”
At his banquet premiere, sports director Max Eberl was able to enjoy mini burgers, fried sea bass and chimichurri chicken alongside President Herbert Hainer. “All in all, it was a very mature performance,” said Eberl about the improvement in form. After the recent low blows, the exciting performance at the Emirates Stadium took pressure off the explosive discussion about an earlier replacement for Thomas Tuchel, who was leaving at the end of the season.
Eberl on the Tuchel debate: Also pay tribute
“We saw again today that the team and the coach fit together when they work,” emphasized Eberl. With all understanding for the constant questions about Tuchel, successes also need to be acknowledged: “Hey, hateful for the coach’s performance with the team.”
Tuchel, who was laughingly chatting with sporting director Christoph Freund in the circle of noble fans, was pleased, despite all the anger at Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg, that some of his plans against Arsenal had worked. With the return of the reliable support Manuel Neuer and Leroy Sané, who played a decisive role in both goals, the star ensemble, which was so often disappointing in the Bundesliga, switched to much-admired Champions League mode.
“We need the passion and commitment of today next week,” demanded Tuchel, who, as a former Chelsea coach, saw one or two familiar faces from the past in the English metropolis.
“Game gives a lot of room for interpretation”
The intense match without Bayern fans had demanded a lot from Tuchel, who was highly emotional, complaining and cheering on the sidelines a week before the second leg in Munich – then again with loud supporters.
After the early deficit by Bukayo Saka (12′), ex-Arsenal professional Serge Gnabry (18′) and England’s national team captain Kane (32’/penalty kick) turned the game around. Joker Leandro Trossard (76th minute) struck again for national player Kai Havertz’s team in the intense battle for a place in the semi-finals.
“You can argue, you can also be a little happy,” said vice-captain Thomas Müller. “The game leaves room for interpretation in all directions.” What would have happened if Neuer hadn’t prevented the 2-0 defeat against Ben White? What if Kingsley Coman hadn’t hit the post when the score was 2-2. And what if a strange hand penalty had been whistled for FC Bayern?
Rookie mistake or rule violation?
What was meant was a scene in the second half in which Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya played a goal kick to Gabriel, who was positioned in the six-yard box. The Brazilian picked up the ball in his hand, put it back on the grass and played it back to Raya – the previously approved game continued: No penalty.
The referee told the players that it was a kid’s mistake and that he wouldn’t whistle that in a quarter-final of the Champions League, Tuchel reported.
“I don’t think the referee is allowed to ignore the laws,” complained Müller. For Kane it was “the clearest penalty.” However, the 30-year-old admitted that Arsenal could also have had a penalty after contact between Neuer and Saka in stoppage time.
Kane wants to go back: Long way to Wembley
Of all things, returning to his hometown gave Kane, who was always accurate against Arsenal, new confidence that he could embark on an even more meaningful journey for the final on June 1st at the iconic Wembley Stadium. “Wembley is obviously special for me. But there’s still a long way to go there,” said Kane.
Gnabry also looked happy at the banquet. But the muscle injury, which forced him to retire early from this game in a season full of injuries and deprived him of the second leg, is likely to dampen his spirits.
Dreesen singled out Gnabry for his “great goal” – and especially Kane. “You love scoring here,” the CEO addressed the 100 million man to applause in the red and yellow lit hall. The dream of his final is alive.