Bayern Face PSG Without Vincent Kompany As Champions League Dream Intensifies

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany will miss the club’s biggest match of the season after suspension ruled him out of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Bayern travel to the Parc des Princes chasing the trophy they believe defines success in Europe. Kompany has made his ambitions clear in recent weeks.

According to Fabrizio Romano, he said, “We’re fighting for the title that PSG won last year. They deserve every bit of praise. We want what they have. We’re hungry.”

Assistant coach Aaron Danks will take charge of the touchline in Paris. Kompany remains involved behind the scenes but will be barred from the dressing room and bench.

“Danksy has plenty of experience, was on the touchline for a while in England. I’ve got 100% confidence in the staff and everyone else,” Kompany said.

The suspension stems from his booking in the quarter-final win over Real Madrid, his third yellow card of the campaign. He later questioned the strict disciplinary rules in the expanded UEFA Champions League format.

He said, “It’s an extended format and it’s the strictest-ever ruling with a lot of interpretation from referees, where sometimes you can get a yellow card wrong as well. So what happens then?”

Kompany dismissed any repeat of Jose Mourinho’s famous suspension stunt. “I’m 1.92 meters tall. I can’t fit in a washing basket,” he joked.

Striker Harry Kane admitted the absence will be felt. He noted: “We’ll miss him on the touchline. He’s our boss, a coach who’d love to be out there with us.”

PSG boss Luis Enrique praised his opposite number, saying: “Vincent Kompany is a coach of the highest level, Bayern is one of the teams I like to watch the most. They’re very pretty to watch. I like all coaches, but especially the attacking ones, and he is without doubt one of them.”

Bayern’s preparations have been far from smooth. Despite sealing the Bundesliga title, Kompany was forced to call on Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala during a dramatic 4-3 comeback win over Mainz.

Musiala returns to face PSG after last season’s injury setback, while Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl are doubts.