Bayern Must Sustain Momentum Against Real Madrid In Second Leg, Says Kompany

Bayern Munich carry a narrow advantage into their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, after a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu. Vincent Kompany wants that result to be a starting point, not a finish, as Bayern prepare for the return meeting.

In the first leg, Luis Diaz and Harry Kane scored for Bayern Munich in Spain, before Kylian Mbappe reduced the deficit late on. The victory gives Bayern a one-goal cushion ahead of the second leg, but Kompany stresses that Madrid remain a serious threat.

Kompany underlined the challenge that Real Madrid always pose, yet also highlighted Bayern Munich’s belief in the Champions League. "It's important to continue our momentum. They [Madrid] will give us a tough game, they are the type of team that can do something special, but so can we," said Kompany. "We have earned the right to be confident and be demanding in those games. But it's football, you never know."

Bayern Munich created several chances in Madrid during the Champions League tie, finishing with 3.0xG from 20 attempts. Dayot Upamecano and Serge Gnabry failed to convert clear openings in the first half, while Diaz also missed a late counter-attack that might have extended the lead.

Kane’s consistency against Real Madrid in the Champions League continued in the first leg for Bayern Munich. Kane has now scored or assisted in four consecutive Champions League appearances against Madrid, matching runs by Giovane Elber in 2002 and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2017.

Kompany also spoke about allowing Bayern Munich’s players to take responsibility on the Champions League stage against Real Madrid. "I'm not centre stages, it's the players. So I just try to give them a little word when I can, [like] something I might have done when I was playing. But it's a player's game."

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer played a key role in Bayern Munich’s Champions League win over Real Madrid, making nine saves and earning player-of-the-match recognition. Kompany praised that display highly. "He makes it look so easy. With great goalkeepers, they make incredible saves at incredible angles look so easy," added Kompany.

Kompany stressed that Neuer’s work against Real Madrid showed more than shot-stopping for Bayern Munich in the Champions League. "He is still very good with his positioning, defending the back line. We won't win the competition without more of these kind of performances." Bayern now look to protect their edge while matching that intensity in the second leg.