Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany on Harry Kane, Luis Díaz and the Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund
In an exclusive interview, Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany reflects on his team’s magnificent start to the season, praises in-form duo Harry Kane and Luis Díaz, and looks ahead to the upcoming Klassiker against rivals Borussia Dortmund.
If you had to describe the first part of the season in three words, what would you say?
Vincent Kompany: “We keep going – very simple. The games are done, they’re in the past. Now it’s about winning again.”
Your attacking players in particular have looked unstoppable so far this season. What makes working with them every day so special?
Kompany: “To score goals, you need to have individual quality. These players all have it. They have the quality that they have proven over many years. I have been a defender all my life, yet I am someone who loves attacking play. I love to see them combine with each other. I love to see them having chances, shots and dribbles. The creative side of the game is something that I definitely encourage.”
One person who has obviously been in the spotlight is Harry Kane. We all know about his goals, but what else makes him such a valuable player?
Kompany: “The base of anything we do comes from the hard work of the attacking players. There’s a huge emphasis on making sure that they get the ball in the right conditions. At the same time, there is a huge emphasis on them being part of us recovering the ball. One of the first things that is threatened when a team is successful going forward is the work rate against the ball. I have been very lucky because they have always made it a priority.”
How would you assess Luis Díaz’s contribution so far?
Kompany: “Luis was already a big part of one of the most intense teams in Europe, playing for Liverpool. Coming to us, he has given us his personality and his energy on the pitch. He has had many chances since he arrived and has created a lot for his teammates. He fits in really well with what we try to tell as a story on the pitch.”
Watch: The best of Luis Díaz
Nicolas Jackson has received a lot of praise for his versatility. How much of that have we seen already?
Kompany: “He is definitely making the right steps. He brings a lot of fresh energy, which you always need in a team. He has been well received. You can feel that these players do not need too long before they settle in, but we always have to be patient with this first phase to make sure we give it every chance to succeed.”
At the other end of the pitch, how much of Jonathan Tah’s potential have we seen already, and how much is still to come?
Kompany: “He joined at the same time as Tom Bischof. The advantage those two had is that they joined us for the Club World Cup, and we literally lived together for a month. The integration was sped up. He already has a leadership function within the team and the club. He is also someone who, on the ball, is able to progress nicely. However, I would not put the pressure on any of the new arrivals to do everything themselves.”
Watch: Dortmund hold Bayern in captivating Klassiker
Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund is coming up. You’ve not beaten them since 2023. What makes them so difficult to beat?
Kompany: “Those games do not really play on form. It is like you have a competition and then everything stops, and it has its own narrative and its own events. It feels like a derby, even though there is quite a bit of distance [between the cities]. In these games, emotions play just as much of a role as anything else. That is why it is more unpredictable.”
How would you describe the atmosphere in those games?
Kompany: “It has been really good. In the two games we played against Dortmund last year, we played well, but for whatever reason we finished with a draw in both games. You feel it when you come into the stadium and when the first shot on goal happens. There is something special about this game. In the end, us having the three points matters in every game, but in these ones, [it matters] even more.”
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