Kompany lauds Köln wonderkid Said El Mala amid Bayern transfer links | OneFootball

Bayern Munich continue their 2025/26 campaign in the DFB-Pokal against 1. FC Köln on Wednesday.

19-year-old Said El Mala has been one of the Billy Goats' most dangerous players this season, and Bayern coach Vincent Kompany is wary of the threat posed by the youngster.

“When they manage to score from a counter, El Mala usually has a lot to do with it,” Kompany said at his pre-match press conference of the young attacker, who has been linked with a move to Bayern.

“He's got that first acceleration and then a second during the move. He can also shoot from those high-speed moves. He does that well. Having that feeling of being inactive and then suddenly launching the counter, that's a quality.”

Sharing his general verdict on Bayern's upcoming opponents, Kompany said:

"They've done very well so far, above all what they do in defence. I like the urgency they have, how quickly they close down the spaces to prevent shots and crosses. They're also really dangerous on the break and have hurt a lot of teams there already. It's not just defending their box but also a good, solid central block from which they can launch dangerous counters. 

"They're at home, believe in their chance, but we're going to Köln with great hunger for this cup tie. We're doing a lot right at the moment and want to take that into the Köln game as well."