Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany believes his team could have scored "two or three more goals" in their dramatic 5-4 Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. The Belgian, watching from the stands due to a touchline suspension, saw his side fall just short in a nine-goal thriller at the Parc des Princes, leaving them with a one-goal deficit to overturn in next week's return fixture.
Speaking after the match, Kompany praised his team's offensive intent but identified clear defensive issues that need addressing. "When two teams with such an approach meet, something like today can happen. I think we could have scored two or three more goals," Kompany said. "We were often in front of PSG’s goal, but what we need to improve is our defensive organisation when we lose the ball. We didn’t always look good there and allowed our opponents to counter too easily."
The former Manchester City captain, in his first season at the Allianz Arena, expressed confidence that his team can turn the tie around on home soil. Bayern's record in Munich this European campaign is formidable, having won all five of their home matches, including a convincing victory over Arsenal in the quarter-finals. "Now we have to win at home, but we’ve done that very often before," Kompany stated. "We need 75,000 fans next week and an atmosphere like against Real Madrid, maybe even more."
Kompany also admitted his discomfort at being forced to watch the crucial match from a distance, a situation he discussed with opposing coach Luis Enrique. "It wasn't the position I'd have liked to watch the game from," Kompany said, according to iMiaSanMia. "I told Luis Enrique I don't understand how he likes to watch games from here. I liked the mentality of the team today. It was a game for people who love football."
The result leaves Bayern with a challenging yet achievable task. While the five goals conceded represent a significant hurdle, the four away goals provide a crucial lifeline. The focus for Kompany and his squad will now shift to shoring up a defence that looked vulnerable to PSG's rapid transitions, led by Kylian Mbappe, while maintaining the attacking verve that saw them score four times in Paris. The second leg in Munich promises another high-stakes encounter as Bayern aim to reach their first Champions League final since 2020.
