19 October 2006, by Marco Pereira

Sporting 0-1 Bayern – match reaction

Sporting coach, Paulo Bento:

“After a balanced opening few minutes Bayern started to rise and took advantage of our disorganisation and used one of their strong points: shooting from distance. We gave a good response and we created many opportunities on goal. We were at fault in our finishing and our individual play was not successful.”

“I do not think we had a bad game. We were penalised for a period when we did not concentrate. Bayern deserve merit because they took advantage of that situation. The result is not totally justified for the way we played.”

Sporting striker, Alecsandro:

“We knew that it was going to be difficult. After the goal, they ended up defending. With a little more luck, aggressiveness and starting with a winning attitude from the opening minute, we could have had another result.”

“Now we must move on to the next game. We are disappointed and frustrated, but the competition will continue. If we did not win at home, we will have to get the right result away.”

Bayern Munich coach, Felix Magath:

“It was an interesting game. We were the better team in the first 20 minutes. I believe that there should have been a penalty call in or favour, which would have ended the game immediately. We made some mistakes, which Sporting took advantage off and I was fearful of suffering a goal.”

“Oliver Kahn had a huge game, but the whole team played very well. Full merit to our defence too because Sporting’s opportunities were not many.”

Bayern Munich defender, Lucio:

“We defended really well, and with great difficulty playing with one less man, but what was important was guaranteeing the three points. Sporting are a young team that try to impose a very strong rhythm on the game, but we managed to respond and score. We knew that it was not going to be easy.”

“The return leg will not be easy because Sporting will be coming to get three points, but we have to impose our rhythm and play the way we did today, with strong marking and scoring when a chance presents itself.”

Sporting 0-1 Bayern Munich - Match Report