FC Bayern has opened the door to the Champions League quarterfinals with a 6-1 win at Atalanta Bergamo. Several things impressed CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen.
Jan-Christian Dreesen was impressed by many things during Bayern’s gala performance in northern Italy – including the opposing fans. In his banquet speech at the historic Villa Moroni just outside Bergamo late on Tuesday evening, the CEO took his hat off to them: “Even if they can’t hear it now, I’d like to praise the Atalanta fans,” said Dreesen. “Spectators who still cheer on their own team when they’re losing 6-0 – that was very impressive.”
The fact that Dreesen expressed such praise was, of course, also due in part to Bayern themselves. The “great” team of the German record champions had delivered a “great game” and made for a “great evening,” Dreesen enthused. The final score was 6-1 at the end of a Bavarian show of strength, a “statement in this competition,” as Dreesen put it.
Dreesen “deeply impressed” – for several reasons
FC Bayern “knew what was coming,” said Dreesen, recalling BVB’s elimination in Bergamo in the Champions League play-offs a few weeks ago. “That made this game, this first half, all the more impressive,” enthused the 58-year-old, “as we sat in our seats and were deeply impressed.”
Dreesen used this word frequently in his traditional banquet speech. “I was particularly impressed,” Dreesen continued, “that it continued like this in the second half. To continue like this after a 3-0 lead at half-time, to take the opponent seriously, to want to score more goals, to play seriously – that was extraordinary. That’s what distinguishes a real top team.”
Now it’s a matter of walking through the wide-open door to the quarterfinals in the return leg next Wednesday at the Allianz Arena. Dreesen calls for “the same seriousness, the same professionalism.” Despite the clear first leg result, FC Bayern “will certainly not play casually—on the contrary. I don’t think you can do that.”
Dreesen to Davies: “We all felt for you”
However, there were some minor downsides at the end of this Champions League evening, namely the “tragic injuries right at the end.” Dreesen addressed some emotional words in particular to Alphonso Davies, who had to be substituted in tears: “We all felt for you. I wish you a speedy recovery with all my heart.“
He expressed the same wishes to Jamal Musiala and Jonas Urbig, who was taken to hospital for further examination with a suspected concussion. A ”precautionary measure,” as Dreesen emphasized.
