Bayern Club World Cup clash with PSG a ‘perfect storm': Kompany
Bayern Munich's Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany speaks during a press conference at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter-final football match against France's Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. Photo: Patricia DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said his team's Club World Cup quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday will be an enthralling encounter because of their similar 'extreme' styles of play.
Both Luis Enrique's PSG and Kompany's Bayern, champions of the French and German leagues respectively, like to dominate the ball, press high and play attacking football.
ALSO READ: Chelsea edge Palmeiras to reach Club World Cup semis
'You have teams who are able to make a lot of good use of the ball in nearly every game, against deep blocks, high presses, everything,' Kompany told a news conference Friday.
'That creates a sort of, what we've seen here a lot, thunderstorm, right? It's a perfect storm. These games are always interesting, and… I would pay to watch it.'
Bayern and PSG can rest easy on Saturday because of the roof at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta which means there will be no storm disruption, and Kompany said the match would be one to savour.
'If I was a neutral, I would come to see this game, for sure,' he said. 'Both teams have quite 'extreme' principles, which is why it's usually an interesting game.'
Despite the obvious strength of the Champions League winners, Kompany said there was no side he would rather face than the Parisians.
'There's no reason to think that they're not going to be absolutely at their best tomorrow, but I think it's the type of challenge you like,' he explained.
'If I could pick one team to face, as a professional athlete, as a competitor, it's always the winners, and they are the winners, so we get a chance to play against them.
'It's tough, it's the toughest game, maybe, but that's why we're here, so I wouldn't have it any other way.'
– 'Completely over the top' –
The Belgian coach also hailed his PSG counterpart Luis Enrique, who won the treble with the French side.
In November PSG lost 1-0 against Bayern but Kompany said criticism of the Spaniard at the time was greatly overblown.
'I could follow (his press conference) on one of the big screens and all the questions that were asked to him were completely over the top,' said Kompany.
'Really tough questions, big statements, everything is over, you failed in your job, you can do nothing — all these big statements.
'But I remember watching his team before we played them, most games they should have won 5-0 but somehow it was 1-1 or they lost, so it wasn't reflective of the spirit of the team… (or) of the dominance they had in every game.'
ALSO READ: Bayern stand before PSG in battle of Club World Cup favourites
Kompany said he was happy to see Luis Enrique's determination rewarded.
'It's nice to see that in those moments consistency paid off for him, but most importantly that he was strong enough to continue,' said the coach.
'It's not a compliment I'm giving, it's just a fact… it's just interesting to do this (rematch) six months fast forward, and to see how much things can change.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
16 minutes ago
- IOL News
A quiet transfer window could actually see Mamelodi Sundowns thrive in Africa
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso must aim for some continuity following some good performances at the recently completed FIFA Club World Cup. Image: Backpagepix Mamelodi Sundowns did what they were supposed to do at the FIFA Club World Cup - they showcased the club's ability on the world stage and won the hearts of the masses. Sundowns opened their Group H campaign with a win over Ulsan HD. That was no surprise given their pedigree and the strength of the team compared to the Koreans. But it was against German giants Borussia Dortmund when they announced themselves to the world, as they put up a fearless and charismatic performance despite the 4-3 defeat. Sundowns were so good in that game that many pundits and fans were rooting for them to beat Fluminense in their final group match and qualify for the last 16. But it wasn't to be, as the match ended in a draw, resulting in the Chloorkop-based side finishing third in their group and crashing out of the tournament. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Sure, it is often said 'no one remembers the losers', but Sundowns have defied that tag as many will be rooting for them if they qualify for the 2029 edition. That tournament will be in four years' time, but the time to build for the club is now - they need to invest in the club's youth and polish the 'Shoeshine and Piano' flair that saw them win over new fans. The club has the likes of Jayden Adams (24), Malibongwe Khoza (21), Kutlwano Letlhaku (19) and Ndumiso Mabena (18) who should be able to drive vision 2029. But these youngsters cannot be thrown in the deep end now - they still need the guidance of seniors such as Teboho Mokoena (28) and Khuliso Mudau (30). And so, as the transfer window slowly heats up this month, the club must be wary of buying unnecessary players and should instead focus on a succession plan. Yes, challenging for top honours such as the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League requires the team to have the best players at their disposal. And boy, Sundowns, thanks to their deep pockets, have the best players money can buy. But there's no need for the club to strengthen the squad for the sake of killing local competition, instead they must buy what they need in their bids for the league and African crown. Investing more in getting the best out of the current crop of players would also strengthen the competition, especially for continental football. Winning the league has been like taking candy from a baby from Sundowns, with the team having won the last eight titles in a row due to poor competition at home. Strong competition would aid their bid to do well in African football, as the wheels tend to come off in the latter stages as it did in the Champions League final last season.
TimesLIVE
39 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
Neves serves as pallbearer at Jota funeral hours after emotional Club World Cup match
Al-Hilal's Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo flew to Portugal for the funeral for their former teammate Diogo Jota after an emotional Club World Cup quarterfinal against Fluminense on Friday that saw them break down in tears during the minute's silence. Neves, one of Jota's closest friends, served as a pallbearer for the Liverpool forward who died alongside his younger brother Andre Silva after a car accident in northwestern Spain on Thursday morning when their Lamborghini veered off the road and caught fire. Tributes have continued to pour in for the brothers with footballing greats including Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard, joining the Prime Ministers of Portugal and Britain in mourning the loss. Friday's match between Al-Hilal and Fluminense in Orlando began with players and fans observing a minute's silence in memory of the two brothers. Neves, who played with the 28-year-old Jota during their days at Wolverhampton Wanderers, issued a touching tribute on Instagram about an hour before kick-off. "Wherever you are, I know you're going to read this, we've never been one for this sort of thing and maybe now I'll regret it a little, but you know what you mean to me just as much as I know what I am to you," Neves said.
eNCA
an hour ago
- eNCA
Seine reopens to Paris swimmers after century-long ban
PARIS - The River Seine reopened to swimmers on Saturday morning in Paris, allowing people to take a dip in the French capital's iconic waterway for the first time since 1923. Parisians and visitors looking to cool off this summer can dive in -- weather permitting -- at three bathing sites, including one a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower. A few dozen people arrived ahead of the 8:00 am (0600 GMT) opening on Saturday at the Bras Marie zone in the city's historic centre, diving into the water for the long-awaited moment under the watchful eyes of lifeguards wearing fluorescent yellow T-shirts and carrying whistles. The seasonal opening of the Seine for swimming is seen as a key legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, when open water swimmers and triathletes competed in its waters which were specially cleaned for the event. The swimming zones are equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, offering space for 150 to 300 people to relax, lay out their towels, and unwind from the city's hustle and bustle. Paris officials say they have taken several measures to ensure swimmers can safely enjoy the long-anticipated reopening, including daily water pollution testing and implementing a swim test for bathers. "It's a childhood dream to have people swimming in the Seine," said Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, who visited the bras Marie site on Saturday morning. But officials reminded swimmers of potential dangers, including strong currents, boat traffic, and an average depth of 3.5 metres. "The Seine remains a dangerous environment," said local official Elise Lavielle earlier this week. To mitigate that risk, lifeguards will assess visitors' swimming abilities before allowing independent access, while a decree issued in late June introduced fines for anyone swimming outside designated areas.
