Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany promises repeat fireworks in Champions League semi-final against PSG

MUNICH – Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has promised to stick with his high-octane, high-risk approach when they host holders Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on May 6.

PSG hold a one-goal advantage from last week’s incredible 5-4 first-leg win, in which some of the sport’s leading attackers were given free rein to go for the jugular.

Despite the match in Paris being lauded as one of the best games of the modern era, Kompany and his side have faced criticism for being too vulnerable at the back.

But the 40-year-old has repeatedly pledged not to change a thing and even doubled down as six-time Champions League winners Bayern look to blast their way into the final in Budapest.

The Bundesliga champions have scored 116 goals in 32 league games – a record in the German top flight and among the best anywhere in Europe.

But this approach does leave them vulnerable.

Bayern have conceded 16 goals in their past six games in all competitions, keeping just one clean sheet.

And while their squad have been heavily rotated in some of those matches, the 21 goals they scored in that six-game run also shows the potency of their playing style.

Suspended for the first leg, Kompany watched the defeat by PSG from the stands.

The Belgian, who is coaching just his second season in the Champions League, said he saw room for improvement.

“I’m not the kind of person who sees things in black or white. For me, what happened in Paris is perfectly logical,” Kompany said on May 1.

“I also would be glad to keep a clean sheet, but what we absolutely cannot do is lose what made us strong.”

That strategy has paid clear dividends in Europe’s elite club competition so far this season.

Against Real Madrid in the second leg of their quarter-final, a Manuel Neuer blunder gifted Arda Guler an opener after just 36 seconds.

Real took the lead three times on that night, but Bayern fought back each time before delivering the knockout blow with two goals in the closing stages of the game.

In the first leg of their semi-final at PSG, the hosts looked to have taken the game away from Bayern with two goals in three second-half minutes.

But Kompany’s side pushed upfield and scored two of their own in a four-minute spell to force their way back into the tie.

As someone many of the Bayern dressing room will have looked up to during his playing days, the former defender has built a strong relationship with his squad, who clearly back the supercharged strategy.

After they came from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw 3-3 with Heidenheim on May 2 with a Michael Olise goal in the 11th minute of stoppage time, Joshua Kimmich promised more of the same against PSG.

“We’re not going to change our style of play in three days and just sit back and defend,” the Germany international said.

“We have to win, regardless of whether it’s another 5-4, a 3-2, or a 1-0 victory.”

PSG return to Munich, where they won the title in 2025, and are expected to play as openly as their hosts.

Luis Enrique said his side would need “at least three goals” in Munich, despite already holding a one-goal advantage.

Kompany also cited PSG’s swashbuckling run to the crown last season as an example of success following a courageous approach.

“PSG were never going to change the style that won them the Champions League last year,” he said.

“We come into the match as the team that has won the most games and scored the most goals in Europe. Is anyone going to take a backward step? Nobody will accept that.”

Having served his suspension, Kompany will once again be on the touchline on May 6.

“Every team uses the tools at their disposal,” he said on May 2.

“We’ll use ours. There’s things we can improve on, but it’s about winning – we won’t forget that.” AFP