Kompany Remains Composed Following Triumph Over Leverkusen, Kimmich's Contract Update
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Synopsis
Vincent Kompany demonstrated remarkable composure after Bayern Munich's decisive 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League. Despite the celebration, he emphasized the need for ongoing focus as they prepare for upcoming matches, while also addressing Manuel Neuer's injury and discussions surrounding Joshua Kimmich's contract extension.
Key Takeaways
- Kompany maintains composure after victory.
- Neuer injured, requiring surgery and recovery.
- Young goalkeeper Ubrig to make debut.
- Bayern ends seven-match winless streak.
- Contract talks for Kimmich progressing.
Berlin, March 7 (NationPress) Vincent Kompany's calm demeanor barely conveyed the importance of the night's success.
"There’s no time for celebration; it’s just halftime," the Bayern coach remarked, amidst the buzz of TV cameras, while the festivities in the Munich arena continued unabated.
"We have to keep working. Saturday brings a league match, and on Tuesday, we head to Leverkusen," the 38-year-old maintained, demonstrating his focus despite the excitement surrounding him, as reported by Xinhua.
This evening marked a crucial 3-0 win for Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 match against Bayer Leverkusen, a victory that brought them closer to advancing to the quarterfinals. However, the confirmed injury to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who will need two to three weeks to recover after surgery, cast a shadow over the Bavarian celebration.
Neuer sustained his injury around the 60th minute while celebrating Bayern's second goal. The news broke on Thursday morning, just hours before updates on contract extension discussions with midfielder Joshua Kimmich. The club's supervisory board is reportedly in favor of a four-year deal for the 30-year-old after weeks of negotiations.
The injury to Neuer provided an unexpected opportunity for 21-year-old Jonas Ubrig, who is set to make his debut. The young goalkeeper joined Bayern just 37 days ago from second-division side Cologne during the winter break. Ubrig had not played a competitive match since October 2024 but now faces the challenge of filling in for Neuer in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Ubrig's swift ascent mirrors the current upbeat atmosphere at Bayern. The victory marked the end of a seven-match winless streak against Leverkusen. The sports magazine Kicker labeled the result as "a statement," highlighting that Bayern's win "comes near an exclamation mark" and conveys a strong message to European rivals.
The tabloid Bild referred to this as Kompany's most significant victory since he assumed the Bayern role. "The match was about establishing the country's top football status," the publication noted.
Sky Sports underscored Kompany's tactical acumen, asserting that the former Manchester City defender "tactically outmaneuvered Leverkusen's Spanish star coach Xabi Alonso." The broadcaster added: "When it mattered most, Kompany maximized his squad's potential," emphasizing the contributions of England captain Harry Kane, who scored two goals.
Kompany remained focused: "To stay composed, recover, and push forward with full intensity again," while Bayern board member Max Eberl anticipated "a challenging road ahead, as we expect Leverkusen to make a comeback."
