Neuer and Gnabry are absent
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After FC Bayern’s first title loss in the DFB Cup against Bayer Leverkusen, coach Vincent Kompany recalled the situation in which he regained the record champion title. Last season he remained without a title for the first time in twelve years.
“We have to go back six months to where we were and what we were doing. It is now obvious that Bayern can “only” become champion. But no one wrote that at the start of the season, » said the Belgian before the Bundesliga home match on Saturday (3:30 p.m./Sky) against 1. FC Heidenheim. In addition to Harry Kane (31), goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (38 years old; rib problems) and striker Serge Gnabry (29 years old; knee problems) will also be absent.
“The fact that we are now in this position where the best is expected of us is a good sign,” Kompany continued. “It’s not about performance at the moment, it’s not about anything else, it’s just about the result. Six months ago, no one thought this would be our position today.”
Kompany on FC Bayern’s dependence on Musiala
Neuer, 38, was unable to train on Friday. The captain should have been allowed to play in the league after his red card in the 0-1 defeat to Leverkusen. The two-match ban only applies in the cup. Daniel Peretz (24) will be in goal again for him, as he was after his expulsion on Tuesday.
Kompany also commented on what former national player Toni Kroos called his team’s extreme dependence on national player Jamal Musiala (21). “Wasn’t Real Madrid dependent on Cristiano Ronaldo? “Was Barcelona not dependent on Lionel Messi?” replied the Belgian. Musiala is “a special player,” but overall there are a number of offensive players with plenty of scoring points.
Positive words from Bayern for Wanner and Davies
Paul Wanner could be part of it again next season. The 18-year-old is currently on loan to next opponent Heidenheim and was able to make his first mark in the Bundesliga. The list of those interested in talent continues to grow; alongside Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt hopes for a commitment next summer. But in Christoph Freund’s eyes, Wanner should become an important part of the Bayern team.
“We are in regular contact with Paul. (…) We are very happy with his development, it is quite simply a logical continuation in his career. (…) He is currently acquiring very important experience. (…) As FC Bayern, we are planning the future with Paul Wanner,” said the sporting director, who also commented on the information from “Sky” about significant progress in terms of extension with Alphonso Davies (24 years old). ): « In general, we are in good discussions and we are positive.
Kompany calls Heidenheim’s Schmidt a ‘very good coach’
Kompany praised the performance of his colleague Frank Schmidt of 1. FC Heidenheim ahead of the Bundesliga clash. The Belgian even indirectly places Schmidt, 50, on the same level as star coaches like Pep Guardiola, under whose leadership Kompany played for several years at Manchester City.
“It’s one of those great stories. I also say it with a lot of respect: you can’t make a big difference between someone like that and the very great coaches in Europe,” Kompany said before the match at the Munich Arena. Before becoming a coach himself, he saw a documentary about coaches in Germany.
“At that time, the Heidenheimers were still in the 3rd league. I was already enthusiastic about the way he ran the club, with few employees, » Kompany said of Schmidt, who was Heidenheim’s coach for 17 years and led the club to the 4th League in the Bundesliga and the European Cup « There is a lot of stability and I have a lot of respect, » says Kompany. Even though Heidenheim is currently without a win in seven games in the Bundesliga, there is “no panic”.
