Jürgen Klopp’s comments on FC Bayern’s style of play continue to be a topic of discussion. During the 2-2 draw against Arsenal, the German national team coach publicly admitted that he couldn’t fully understand Vincent Kompany’s defensive strategy. Now, BILD’s soccer editor-in-chief Christian Falk has revealed an interesting detail: Klopp and Kompany have apparently already discussed the Munich team’s tactical approach in person.
During halftime of the Champions League showdown, Klopp caused a stir on DAZN. “To this day, I still don’t fully understand what Bayern does when they’re defending,” the 59-year-old explained.
In particular, the shifting assignments in their pressing and Harry Kane’s unusual role were causing the former Liverpool coach a headache. Klopp couldn’t clearly discern when the Munich team relied on man-to-man marking and when they covered their opponents in space.
The comments subsequently sparked debate, as they could certainly be interpreted as criticism of Kompany’s tactical approach.
Kompany deflects question about Klopp
After the final whistle, the Bayern coach was asked about his colleague’s comments. BILD reporter Heiko Niedderer wanted to know how Kompany viewed the German national team coach’s public surprise.
His response was as brief as could be. “I have nothing to say about that—next question,” the Belgian explained, according to Niedderer.
On the BILD podcast “Bayern Insider,” the journalist reports that Kompany generally has little interest in commenting on public assessments by other coaches or experts.
Nevertheless, Niedderer suspects that the comments—coming from Klopp of all people—might have given him pause. After all, the German national team coach is considered a proven expert in intense pressing and modern defensive tactics.
Falk reveals: Kompany explained his system to Klopp on the whiteboard
Particularly explosive are the new details that Falk revealed on the podcast. According to him, Klopp and Kompany reportedly met at Säbener Straße and discussed FC Bayern’s tactical approach at length.
The discussion apparently centered on precisely the question Klopp has now raised publicly: Do the Munich players use classic man-to-man coverage, or do they take a different approach? “But Kompany explained to him, ‘We don’t play man-to-man coverage at all—we play a hybrid system,’” Falk emphasizes.
The Bayern coach is said to have even personally demonstrated the tactical procedures to his colleague. “And he sketched it out for him on a whiteboard in the coaches’ booth—I heard this from Bayern—showing how this hybrid style of soccer is implemented,” says Falk.
This adds an extra dimension to Klopp’s public surprise. After all, he apparently already had the opportunity to have the system explained to him directly by the Bayern coach.
According to Falk, however, there is no personal conflict between the two coaches. Klopp and Kompany reportedly continue to maintain a good relationship.