MUNICH — Bayern Munich’s head coach Vincent Kompany found himself at a loss for words when asked about the distinctive qualities of Bayer Leverkusen’s rising star Florian Wirtz. The teams are set to clash in the Champions League on Wednesday, prompting curiosity about the differences and potential lessons between Wirtz and Bayern’s own standout, Jamal Musiala.
During a press conference, Kompany initially tried to address the question, indicating that each player needs to forge their path in their development journey. However, he quickly acknowledged the difficulty of the inquiry. “You’ve obviously noticed I’m not in the mood to answer,” Kompany remarked, candidly admitting the complexity of the topic.
While he alluded to the advantages for German soccer with players like Wirtz and Musiala, Kompany emphasized the need for his squad to perform at their highest level against Leverkusen in Munich. Struggling to continue on the topic, he conceded, “I’m talking but it’s easier to say nothing. I’m trying to be respectful, but guys, other questions!”
Despite these challenges, Kompany acknowledged the relevance of the question, suggesting that he might pose the same if roles were reversed but might also understand the difficulty if he were in the reporter’s position. Speculation surrounding Wirtz has been rife, with Bayern’s influential figure, Uli Hoeneß, expressing an interest in seeing the 21-year-old attacking midfielder in the Bayern lineup one day, should a transfer materialize.
Kompany also noted that midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovi? is unwell and will be absent from the upcoming game. Bayern faces a formidable opponent in Leverkusen, a team they have not managed to beat in three recent encounters this season. Their most recent Bundesliga match ended in a goalless draw at Leverkusen, where the home team controlled the game. Previously, Leverkusen ousted Bayern from the German Cup, and their first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in Munich, although Bayern performed more impressively.
In fact, Bayern has not succeeded in defeating Leverkusen in any of the six matches since Xabi Alonso, their former player, took the helm as Leverkusen coach in October 2022.
