With Bayern Munich set to face St. Pauli in the Bundesliga just days before a decisive Champions League second leg against Real Madrid, Vincent Kompany, just like Alvaro Arbeloa, is tasked with balancing rotations.
Speaking ahead of the match, Kompany made it clear that rotation will remain part of Bayern’s approach, but not at the expense of intensity or competitiveness.
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“Making one or two changes is something we’ve done all season . In November or October, you might have questioned whether it was the right thing to do, but now that we’ve come this far, you can’t question it anymore. We’re not going to change anything against St. Pauli. The competition between us also gives us strength. I know that from my own career, and I value the fact that we’re improving our level. I still don’t know who will play; I’ll decide that tonight.
“I need the latest training information and to see how the lads are feeling. I want a team that’s as driven as the one that played against Real Madrid: a team with the same focus, motivation, and intensity. That’s never a problem for us.”
One of the biggest calls Kompany must make concerns his goalkeeper. With limited recovery time since the Madrid clash, the decision between Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig will come down to fitness.
“We haven’t had much time since the Real Madrid game. We’ll discuss it and decide (between who will between Neuer and Urbig). If Manu says he doesn’t feel any problems, then he’ll play . It’s important for a goalkeeper to maintain his fitness.”
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Another player under the spotlight is Harry Kane, who pushed himself physically in the first leg against Real Madrid. Kompany offered an update on the striker’s condition.
“Harry Kane was fine after the Real Madrid game; he played a little beyond his pain threshold . But there was no reaction the next day, and that’s the most important thing.”
