Kompany confirms starts for two Bayern players ahead of Köln match

Kompany confirms starts for two Bayern players ahead of Köln match

Leon Goretzka is set to make one last Bundesliga start for Bayern Munich against 1. FC Köln on Saturday.

Head coach Vincent Kompany confirmed on Friday that the 31-year-old will be in the starting XI, as Bayern prepare for the end of the league season before next week’s DFB-Pokal final against VfB Stuttgart.

However, Kompany also stressed that the decision is not a gesture of goodwill, but a reward for Goretzka’s hard work for the club over the years.

“I wouldn’t call it a favour. The player who takes to the pitch has earned that respect. Of course Leon Goretzka will start; that’s not a favour. He’s earned it through years of hard work with this club. It’s a nice gesture for the squad: what if someone else finds themselves in this situation one day? Everything comes to an end, and this time it’s Leon’s turn,” Kompany said.

“For the other players, that time will come eventually too, and they can earn their chance to take centre stage. Hopefully it'll be a good experience. But Leon knows that if we’re not leading, he might have to come off a bit earlier; we’ve already discussed that.”

The Belgian coach also confirmed that Manuel Neuer will start in goal, meaning Jonas Urbig will not feature against his former club on this occasion.

“Manu will play tomorrow. I know it might be emotional because it's against Köln. But Jonas will get plenty more chances to play against Köln,” he stated.