Kompany hails Freiburg as 'really good example' of well-run club

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany speaks during a press conference after the UEFA Champions League semi-final, second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain at the Allianz Arena. Sven Hoppe/dpa

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany praised Freiburg after they went one better than his side and reached a European final, calling the Black Forest team a "really good example" for aspiring clubs.

Freiburg reached their first ever European final by overcoming Braga on Thursday to set up a Europa League showpiece with Aston Villa on May 20 in Istanbul. Bayern were knocked out by holders Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final the previous day.

"It is really great what Freiburg are doing. What Freiburg are managing to do is a really good example for many clubs," Kompany told a news conference on Friday previewing Saturday's Bundesliga trip to Wolfsburg.

Kompany said he would be supporting Freiburg, who have never won a major trophy, in the final.

"For the sake of German football, we hope they also win the trophy," he remarked. That would mean Freiburg would join already-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern and three other German clubs in the Champions League next season.

Freiburg are a modest club by Bayern's standards but a new stadium, passionate fanbase and clever recruiting have turned them into a force.