Kompany dismisses Real Madrid talk ahead of Champions League clash
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany and midfielder Joshua Kimmich have dismissed the significance of individual Real Madrid stars ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg, insisting the focus is on the collective strength of both teams.
The two sides meet in Madrid on Tuesday for the first leg of their quarter-final tie. When asked in the pre-match press conference about the potential absence of key Madrid forwards Vinícius Júnior or Kylian Mbappé, Kompany was unequivocal in his focus. According to Sky Sports, the Bayern manager stated, "That doesn't concern me, and believe me, if you come to the press conferences in Germany, we have enough topics concerning Bayern Munich. I don't need to go and sort out Real Madrid's problems."
His comments were echoed by midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who emphasized the team-centric nature of the contest. "We are not going to play one-on-one, it will be a team against another team. That is the beauty of a team sport. As a result, we will try to win regardless of Vinícius or Mbappé," Kimmich stated, according to beIN SPORTS. He added, "We know that Real Madrid has a very high squad quality, extreme quality and great players. That's why we want to act collectively."
The build-up to the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu has been dominated by the potential for a blockbuster summer transfer, with Kylian Mbappé heavily linked with a move to Madrid. However, Kompany and Kimmich were clear that their preparations and tactical focus were not being swayed by the potential availability of any single player. Kompany's terse response and Kimmich's emphasis on the team dynamic suggest a Bayern side focused on their own structure and game plan rather than the individual threats of their opponents.
This approach is a hallmark of Kompany's management, focusing on internal processes over external narratives. The first leg in Madrid is poised to be a tactical battle, with Bayern aiming to secure a positive result in the Spanish capital before the return leg at the Allianz Arena. The result will be crucial for both sides, with Real Madrid seeking to continue their quest for a 15th European Cup, while Bayern Munich, under their new manager, aim to reach the semi-finals for the first time since their 2020 triumph.
