Following the setbacks of recent days, FC Bayern are delighted with an important victory. Top spot in the table is now a secondary concern.
Max Eberl’s relief was plain to see after a difficult week for FC Bayern. “This victory is for Vinnie. This victory is for Jo, for his family. This victory is for Lucho,” said the sporting director of the record-breaking champions after the 3–1 (2–0) win at SC Freiburg, a match overshadowed by several unfortunate circumstances: “This victory is for FC Bayern and for this sense of togetherness that we simply need right now.”
Following the death of national team captain Joshua Kimmich, Bayern had been shocked by manager Vincent Kompany’s collapse on Friday. On top of that, many stars, such as Luis Díaz, were missing. Eberl reported that, “thank goodness”, Kompany had not contacted him straight away after the win: “I don’t know how he watched the match.”
He had deliberately reduced contact with the coach so that he could relax and recover. “Apart from the fact that I visited him yesterday and we talked about completely different things – about life. That’s the only contact we’ve had,” said Eberl. However, Kompany did get in touch with assistant manager Aaron Danks – who was in charge of the team in Freiburg – after the match with a short message, Danks reported.
Next week, FC Bayern host BVB
Jonas Urbig, who had stood in goal for the injured Manuel Neuer, praised the tremendous team spirit and club solidarity during this difficult time. “Of course, we played for the manager, as well as for Joshua Kimmich and our injured players. The way we pulled together as a team and a club this week was truly exceptional.” That is why he is “very proud” of everyone involved.
The fact that the record champions returned to the top of the league with the three points ahead of the top-of-the-table clash against Borussia Dortmund became something of a side note. “Shortly after the final whistle, that didn’t matter all that much, because something else was what counted,” said Eberl. Now, however, it is indeed “the absolute top-of-the-table clash” this coming Saturday (6.30 pm)
Eberl added: “We’re delighted that we’ll be able to go into this match as league leaders. That wasn’t a foregone conclusion, but we’ve worked hard to achieve it over the last few weeks.”