Muller said, “We have to respect that they are a good team, that Raphinha had an almost perfect night, while we missed good chances.”
By Kehinde Okeowo
Bayern Munich striker, Thomas Muller has explained why his team suffered a 4-1 loss away to Barcelona in a Champions League game played on Wednesday night at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Prior to the encounter, Barca had fallen six times in the hands of the visitors in six consecutive UEFA Champions League (UCL) games and had not found the back of the net against the Germans in their last four meetings.
The La Liga giants, however, put up an excellent performance on Wednesday and blew away a star studded Bayern side.
Speaking after the heavy defeat Muller said, “This obviously isn’t a good feeling. We came here to win, but we lost 4-1, so there’s a lot of work out there to do for us.
“We perhaps had a lack of confidence in the end because of the scoreline and because of how it seemed we played.
“When we look back and analyse it, we’ll see that Barcelona had more good moments than us. I say it seemed like we had a lack of confidence, only because we didn’t press like we wanted to.
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“We didn’t have the possession and control that we aimed for. We didn’t play like we were able to play; that’s what I meant. Maybe it’s only human, when losing 4-1, to step up again and to try again, but it’s not that easy.
“We had good possession of the ball, so maybe the scoreline was a little bit of a strange result.
“We have to respect that they are a good team, that Raphinha had an almost perfect night, while we missed good chances.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona boss, Hansi Flick, after the encounter praised hat-trick hero, Raphinha, saying he has never had a chance to coach a player like him.
The Brazilian winger scored three times on his 100th appearance for Barça, who ended a run of six successive defeats against Bayern in UCL.
Describing Raphinha’s performance after the match, Flick said he is a very good player, who plays football with smiles on his face.
“I have never had a player like Raphinha in any of my teams. He gives his all,” the German gaffer said after the game.
He added, “Raphinha puts his heart into it. With and without the ball, he is very good, he always starts the pressing, finishes our chances. He is always smiling.”
