Thomas Tuchel: 'They really pushed us hard'

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel stated that the majority of the match in which they defeated Galatasaray 3-1 in the UEFA Champions League was very challenging for them.

Speaking at the press conference held after the match, the German manager noted that Galatasaray fought very well in the first half, saying, "We witnessed a truly difficult battle. There was incredible pressure on the pitch. Galatasaray pushed us quite a bit. We played the match under an incredible tempo from the fans. For the first 60 minutes, they really pushed us hard. It is not easy to play against them in the Galatasaray stadium."

Stating that the first half of the match did not go as they had hoped, Tuchel said, "In the first half, we were not successful in winning the ball in duels. Because there was a well-organized Galatasaray on the pitch. For this reason, we gave them too many goal-scoring opportunities inside the penalty area. Our reaction after the goal was at a very good level. Later, we did better work in both defense and attack. It is a deserved victory, but playing in this stadium, under such intense pressure, is not easy for us."

Thomas Tuchel expressed that he has experienced similar matches in his career and added the following:

"The Champions League is an arena that hosts very difficult battles. Galatasaray is a team that has proven itself in Europe and has been very successful in past years. It was not very easy for us. We could not reach the level we desired in the first half. When the 90 minutes are evaluated, I am happy with the victory achieved. I cannot say it was a 'deserved victory' for the first half. Because Galatasaray played a very high-pressure game in front of their fans. We were the ones lacking in duels. However, we recovered in the second half. We played the transition game very well. We succeeded in this very well, especially with Sane. The arena we are competing in is the Champions League. When we evaluate the 90 minutes, it is a deserved victory."

Explaining that he told his players what they needed to do in terms of technique and tactics during the halftime break, Tuchel assessed, "I told them that we needed to be more courageous and play attacking football to achieve our goal in the Champions League. And that is what happened. I am very proud. We haven't lost for a long time. But there is no favorite in this match or any match. Because you have to work very hard. You need to give much more to react with the same seriousness and calmness against every opponent. Therefore, this victory made me very proud as a coach."

Regarding a question about Galatasaray player Mauro Icardi, the German manager stated, "The information I received last night was that he would not play. When I got the list today, I did not make a tactical change because I knew he was a player capable of playing through pain. I had already set up my squad with the expectation that he could play."