Vincent Kompany, coach of Bayern Munich, is preparing for a potential comeback from Real Madrid in their upcoming match, emphasizing respect for their opponent's talent. Despite Bayern's lead, he remains cautious and acknowledges Real's capabilities.
HAMBURG, GERMANY - APRIL 11: Coach Vincent Kompany of FC Bayern München looks on during a press conference after the Bundesliga match between FC St. Pauli and FC Bayern München at Millerntor Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Inaki Esnaola/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Bayern Munich may be ahead of Real Madrid heading into the second leg, but Vincent Kompany isn’t taking anything for granted. Speaking to the media ahead of the game, the FC Bayern coach was cautious about the possibility of a ‘Remontada’, a term popularized by FC Barcelona’s legendary comeback against PSG.
“One of the key things, no doubt, is that we have a great deal of respect for Real,” said Kompany. “We felt that way even before the game at the Bernabéu, and we still do.”
“We’re preparing for the best version of Real, which is what we saw against Manchester City,” he added. “Their recent results don’t reflect the talent they possess. They’re still one of the best teams in Europe.”
So is it time to throw in the towel? Not at all.
“But what about the history of Barcelona, Atlético, Liverpool, Bayern, Arsenal?” Kompany asked. “Everyone can tell a story of when they did something incredible. So can we!”
Despite this, the coach understood why Madrid are gunning for a comeback in the second leg. He explained the psychology behind it, having been in that position himself. “When we lost to Inter and travelled to Milan, we were 100 percent certain we could win. Real feel the same now.”
“But we also know how to hurt them,” he added. “I firmly believe we can win. We can talk about everything else afterwards, but I’m not giving any space for that before then.”
That’s encouraging. Hopefully the homework shows when FC Bayern take to the pitch on game day.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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Vincent Kompany expressed that he is preparing for the best version of Real Madrid and respects their talent, acknowledging the possibility of a comeback.
A 'Remontada' refers to a dramatic comeback in football, notably used to describe FC Barcelona's comeback against PSG, which has become a term for similar situations.
Bayern Munich is currently ahead of Real Madrid going into the second leg, but Kompany is cautious and aware of Real's potential to turn the match around.
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