After Jamal Musiala’s dream comeback, Vincent Kompany stresses that the 22-year-old still needs more time to fully integrate back into the team. The Belgian also made it clear that he is not afraid of Musiala changing Bayern’s game
Jamal Musiala is back at FC Bayern – and with an exclamation mark. The 22-year-old celebrated his comeback after more than six months out through injury in FC Bayern’s 5-1 win at RB Leipzig and promptly scored. A moment that is emblematic of what those responsible in Munich expect from the return of their exceptional player. At the same time, it is clear that nobody at the record champions wants to rush into anything, not even coach Vincent Kompany
Kompany relies on a plan and patience
Ahead of the Champions League match against Union Saint-Gilloise, the Belgian made it clear that Musiala is a central building block for the future, but that the path to this goal is being deliberately controlled. „There is a plan with him, but we are very flexible. Every day after training, we are in constant contact with the medical department. We are only three days further along than we were against Leipzig,“ explained Kompany, giving an insight into the daily procedure at Säbener Straße
Kompany is deliberately putting the brakes on the euphoria. Two games in quick succession do not automatically mean a big step forward in development. „Just because we play a second game does not mean we are a week further on, but only three days,“ he clarified. The coach wants to prevent Musiala from being pushed into a leading role too soon after his long period of suffering. The focus is on stability, load management and sustainable development. „We are taking things very calmly.“
Changes are expressly permitted
At the same time, there is intense discussion around FC Bayern about how Musiala’s return could affect Munich’s game. The attack has been in a flow for months, carried by players such as Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Luis Díaz and Lennart Karl. Some experts see this as a sensitive structure that could be thrown off balance by Musiala’s return. Kompany meets these concerns with remarkable composure
„It can also change when he comes back,“ said the Bayern coach unequivocally. For him, change is not a risk, but part of the system. Every player is compatible with the idea of the game, emphasised Kompany. Not everything always has to stay the same in order to be successful. Adaptability is a basic requirement, especially at a club like FC Bayern
Musiala himself brings a strong argument to the table. Last season, the attacking midfielder scored over 20 goals and was one of the most productive players in the squad. It goes without saying for Kompany that he needs time again after a month-long break. „Jamal scored over 20 goals last season, now he’s missed a lot,“ he added. The decisive factor for him is not who scores or how the goals are scored. „In the end, I don’t care how or who scores the goals for us,“ the coach made clear
This statement underlines the current Bayern philosophy. It’s not about individual players or rigid role models, but about a functioning collective that can react flexibly to new impulses. Musiala should enrich this construct – not burden it.