Bayern Munich’s Hansi Flick showers Manuel Neuer with praise after staggering display against RB Salzburg

Bayern Munich won their 15^th consecutive Champions League match, which is the most by any team in the history of the tournament, after beating RB Salzburg 3-1 at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday. Even though they booked themselves a spot in the Round of 16, Bayern’s performance against the Austrian champions was not very scintillating.

Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Leroy Sane (along with a somewhat controversial own goal that could have been awarded to Kingsley Coman) helped the hosts take all the three points at the final whistle. The highlight of the game, however, was the exceptional performance of Manuel Neuer – which impressed everyone including Hansi Flick himself.

Talking to Sky Sports (via Goal) after the match, Flick did not hold himself back from praising Der Kapitän.

“Manu has been playing sensationally for over a year,” Flick said. “With him, the goal for the striker is getting smaller and smaller. He is in the form of his life. He is an insane professional and very focused on his job.”

The coach did not sound very happy when asked about the team’s performance and how they lost the ball way too many times.

“We made our way a little difficult because we lost a lot of balls,” said Flick. “The ball losses must not happen like this. That is insecurity and recklessness. Of course, we have personnel problems at the moment. It got better in the second half. I’m satisfied with the efficiency and, of course, we have a world-class goalkeeper at the back.”

Bayern’s defense is not exactly in a very good state currently and the injuries of key players are a real quandary as well.

“We have conceded too many goals recently,” Flick remarked. “It was, of course, also down to the opponents. We played against a strong team. We lost the ball too easily and that hurt us. For me, it is important that we won today and are group winners. You do what you can.”

Whatever goes wrong at any point in the game, there is no need to panic as long as Manuel Neuer is between the sticks.