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Vincent Kompany has called Thomas Muller a “legend” but played down the attention surrounding the forward’s exit from Bayern Munich at the end of this season after a 25-year association with the club.
Manager Kompany was immediately asked about Muller’s exit, which was announced on Saturday, in his press conference ahead of his first Champions League quarter-final as a coach, when Italian leaders Inter visit their German counterparts in the first leg on Tuesday (20:00 GMT).
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“I fully respect that this is a big issue for the public, but preparing for Inter has been our priority over the past few days – not just for me, but for all the coaching staff and players,” said Kompany.
“We need to respect that there’s a lot to say when a great legend like Thomas Müller communicates he’s leaving a club. That’s understandable. But my role is that training is right, that we make the right decisions of who plays and not.”
Bayern injuries vs Inter
Jamal Musiala, who scored Bayern’s equaliser in their 3-1 Bundesliga win at Augsburg on Friday, is Kompany’s newest absentee after being replaced by Muller during that victory because of a hamstring injury.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, defenders Hiroki Ito and Dayot Upamecano and widemen Alphonso Davies and Kingsley Coman are also out, while Raphael Guerreiro and Aleksandar Pavlovic are doubts.
“I don’t think I can say too much about how we’ll react,” said Kompany. “We’ve already played without Jamal. We can find creative solutions that we have available to us.
“We can’t replace Jamal like for like with his talent, so we need to solve things as a collective. We’re looking ahead and assuming that the guys who play will be able to perform and get the result.
“We can’t forget that the guys have all been involved in our journey so far to where we are. I don’t want to moan about things.
“I don’t want to change my goals because we’ve got injuries. My thoughts are just about what can happen when we perform to our best.”
Bayern Munich vs Inter: Kompany calls for ‘character’
Inter are four points clear at the top of Serie A and have conceded two goals in this season’s Champions League, one of which came when they were 3-0 ahead on aggregate against Feyenoord in the round of 16.
Kompany is understandably encouraged by his side’s 5-0 aggregate victory over reigning German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the last round.
“People don’t normally score a lot of goals against Leverkusen either, but you need to have the belief,” he said, discussing the prospect of facing another tough defence.
“They’re a team who always their moments and are always dangerous, not just on the counter. They’re also good in build-up and at set pieces.
“They score a lot of goals because they have good players. But we do that as well. It’s not about the game, but about moments.
“It could be a set piece for us. We need to be there for those moments. We can talk about things that Inter do well tactically, but there’s also character, heart and emotions.
“It’s all part of it. The important thing for me is that we’re ready mentally and show character.”
Thomas Muller retirement: ‘He is how he is’
Muller could make his ninth start of the campaign at the Allianz Arena and target his second goal of 2024/25. “You can’t replace Thomas Muller,” said team-mate Konrad Laimer. “He’s unique.
“I want to keep winning with him in these final weeks together, take as much as I can. Everyone can learn a thing or two from him, like how relaxed he is before games.
“It’s a lot of fun with him in the changing room and on the pitch. I’ve got to sit next to him in the changing room for the last two years and have definitely picked up some phrases from him.
“He is how he is. He’s 100 percent true to what he does, and he’s got a character that you never find boring.
“That’s how he is as a person: bringing that joy, fun and energy that can make everyone better. He also wants to always improve himself.”