German press reaction: 'Bye bye Manchester United' - media reflects Bayern Munich victory in the Champions League
A round up of the press in Germany after United came unstuck at the quarter-final stage
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Your support makes all the difference.'Bye Bye Manchester United' was the English title used by Munich's Abendzeitung to describe Bayern Munich's 3-1 win over the Red Devils on Wednesday night.
"The dream of a back-to-back Champions League title is still alive," its story read. "They may have fallen 1-0 behind, but that was a wake-up call. Three goals in 17 minutes from Mandzukic, Muller and Robben."
The Abendzeitung gives the biggest of credit to Bayern's victory to United - for stinging them with Patrice Evra's bolt out of the blue. "Woe betide anybody who attempts to hurt this Bayern," continued the paper. "That goal made Bayern become Bayern once again."
The Suddeutsche Zeitung said that Bayern had "powered their way" into the semi-finals, touching on the same theme. "Sometimes a beast just needs to be irritated before it rediscover's its hunting instinct," it claimed. Evra's goal was just that.
"In the 58th minute, FC Bayern - the treble winners, Club World Cup winners, the best club on the planet, coached famously by the greatest coaching genius in the universe - were out, for an instant."
The tabloid Bild crowned Thomas Muller as "the Bayern king" thanks to his goal which made it 2-1, and prompted Sky's studio guest Franz Beckenbauer to liken him with the eponymous namesake Gerd. "Yes, that goal reminded me of Gerd," said Bayern's honorary president.
Sixty-nine seconds was the length of time Bayern "had to tremble" before Mandzukic levelled. "It was a deserved, but difficult victory, setting up what will be a fantastic semi-final, no matter what," according to the Bild.
Die Welt was less enthusiastic about the defending champions' victory, on the other hand. "This defence must improve," it titled.
While suggesting that Bayern were the better team over the two legs, it claimed work must be done to reach a third straight final. "Regardless of the draw, the defence must improve. They allowed Wayne Rooney far too much room and did not always look safe when United countered."
Nevertheless, the main theme in the German press was one of a dominant Bayern side who just needed stimulation before responding, and with a look to Friday's draw, the Express summed up the sentiments: "Madrid or Mourinho - it doesn't matter, the main thing is reaching the final."
PA
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