“I expect the Real Madrid that beat Manchester City” - Kompany

Vincent Kompany speaks slowly, calmly, but with conviction. “It’s the most difficult game you can have in Europe,” he says from deep inside the Bernabéu – a stadium that defies logic, steeped in an undeniable mystique. Yet faced with the challenge, he throws down the gauntlet: “I want a team that thinks about winning, that isn’t afraid.”

He laughs when asked about Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius (“I already have enough hot topics in Munich without getting into these!”) and, on the opponent, is clear: “I expect the Real Madrid that beat Manchester City.” As for the Harry Kane question, returning from injury and doubtful until the last moment, he adds: “I don’t think he’s lost rhythm… but we’ll decide tomorrow.”

Kompany makes Bayern stance clear

Is the tactical side or the mental side more important?

Many factors matter, but the key is reaching that moment for the first time. As a club, we have a lot of experience in these games. From there, you have to respect both tactics and the small details. We must prepare to face the best Real Madrid, the one that beat Manchester City. It’s one of the best teams in Europe, it still is. And this may be the most difficult game you can play in this competition. It’s a motivation, and we want to win it.

Is Kane at 100%?

Even though he hasn’t been training on the pitch, he’s gone through a second phase of recovery. During this time, even without playing, he’s trained a lot. I don’t think he’s lost rhythm. But we’ll see what happens tomorrow. He’s here, and that’s very positive. Everyone is available except Ulreich.

Does the number of players one booking away from suspension at Real Madrid matter?

We don’t have as many, but we do have some. Still, the focus has to be on performance. Only that. Because if you play with too much intensity, you might get a yellow card. But that’s not part of tactics. It’s something you accept in a high-intensity game.

How do you deal with failure in sports?

It’s a difficult question. I could give a cliché, but you need to be surrounded by good people in tough moments. They can help you. In an ideal world, you understand that everyone fails at some point. What you do is part of life, and life always moves forward. You need a mindset of leaning on others.

Is this a particularly important game for such a young coach like yourself?

Yes, that’s true. But it’s also about experience. These are very important moments. For example, Belgium facing Brazil in a quarterfinal – moments where you have to remember what brought you there. Even if you fail afterward, you think: ‘I applied what I’ve learned.’ That’s what matters to me ahead of tomorrow. We must focus on the fact this is the most difficult game you can have in Europe, but also that our performance has to show what we’re capable of. “Giving it everything” isn’t enough. You have to focus 100% on how to win. Do everything possible. Now it’s the Bernabéu. Then people will ask how special the Allianz game will be. But I’m not thinking about that. I want a team that thinks about winning, that isn’t afraid.

Is Real Madrid better with Vinicius and Mbappé together?

That’s not my concern at all! Believe me, if you saw the press conferences in Munich, I already have enough hot topics. I don’t need to get into these. All I can say is that both are incredible. Beyond that, it’s Madrid’s job.

How do you see Bischof’s development?

I’ll never reveal the content of my conversations, not here either. But I have to congratulate him, like Karl. Reaching such a high level has been a very pleasant surprise.

Is a game at the Bernabéu one to take risks – regarding Kane?

It’s different if it’s a muscle injury, or something ligament-related, or just pain. This game is very important, and everyone – including me and Kane – knows how important it is. It’s right to have a conversation with each player and get their approval. If everything is fine, then you go ahead. No need to overthink it. But yes, you often ask yourself this question before big games. I don’t know if he’s ready yet, so I can’t give an answer. We’ll see tomorrow.

What has Bayern learned from recent eliminations? And what did you learn from the tie against Manchester City?

The answer has three parts. First, you react to defeat and keep thinking about winning. The mentality must simply be to move forward. Second, we have to look at what we learned last year. It’s true that in other years we were missing many players – I don’t like naming them, because it puts them in the spotlight. If you ask what happened, the easy answer would be that. But no. If we analyze the squad we have today, we’re in a very good position to play this game. We must do everything in our power to win. Everything we do has to relate to what we can do, not what the opponent can do. That’s where our focus must be. On winning tomorrow.

How do you assess Luis Díaz’s season?

I won’t say who starts. But about him… I like to repeat that many things in his game are exactly what I want for the team. He has incredible qualities to dribble, score, assist… but I love his mentality. That’s the part I like most for the team. He embraces chaos, isn’t afraid of it, and turns it into something very dangerous for the opponent. His energy is what we need. It complements other players and the club. It’s incredible to have him. And I never thought he’d struggle to adapt. Never.

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