The pictures after the final whistle said a lot, but by no means everything. While Paris Saint-Germain were celebrating after their spectacular 5:4 victory in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, Vincent Kompany sent out a completely different message at FC Bayern. The suspended head coach, who had to watch the game from the stands, acted immediately – and went straight to his team’s dressing room
Despite the defeat, Kompany demonstratively stood in front of his team – and focused on pride, mentality and confidence
Kompany deliberately focuses on mentality
As Aleksandar Pavlovic later revealed, the Belgian had words that were both clear and encouraging. „He said he was proud of us – and of the way we came back,“ explained the midfielder. Kompany’s speech focused in particular on the reaction after going 5-2 down at one stage
The 40-year-old saw the fact that Bayern fought their way back to 4:5 in one of the wildest Champions League matches in history as a clear sign of his team’s development. Energy, will and mentality – it is precisely these attributes that will now make the difference in the second leg in Munich
Captain Manuel Neuer also confirmed that, in addition to the emotional part, Kompany is already looking ahead. „You have to improve the finer details,“ explained the 40-year-old, making it clear that the analysis has begun immediately. The focus is clearly on learning from the mistakes and being more consistent in the second leg
Kompany quarrels with refereeing decisions
As positive as the coach was internally, his analysis was just as critical externally, with two scenes in particular causing displeasure for Kompany
Firstly, he criticized the way in which the 2-1 scoreline was created following a corner. „It wasn’t a corner,“ he made clear – even if he also admitted that his team should have defended the situation better
The Bayern coach was even clearer when it came to the penalty against Alphonso Davies shortly before the break. „I think the penalty is highly debatable,“ explained Kompany, pointing out that the ball had apparently hit his body first and only then his arm. For him, a detail that can make all the difference at this level
Grandstand role as a state of emergency
The unfamiliar perspective from the stands also left its mark. „It was a disaster – I didn’t enjoy the experience,“ admitted Kompany openly. Although he was in contact with his coaching team led by Aaron Danks, the lack of proximity to the action visibly affected him
All the more reason for him to praise the work of his staff, who looked after the team in his absence. This trust seems to have paid off – at least in terms of the team’s reaction after falling behind
Bayern continue to believe in their comeback
CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen also emphasized that the belief in the final remains unbroken despite the defeat. The 58-year-old spoke of a „test of character“ that was passed and expressly praised the team’s mentality
The starting position is clear: FC Bayern go into the second leg in the Allianz Arena one goal behind, but after this wild evening in Paris, one impression above all remains – this team is alive
Or, as Kompany put it in a nutshell in the dressing room: „This game was not a setback. It was a statement.