Vincent Kompany backs Jonas Urbrig ahead of Bundesliga debut: “He has the talent and mentality.” | OneFootball

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has spoken on the now confirmed start on Jonas Urbig in place of the injured Manuel Neuer this weekend. The 21-year-old will be making his Bundesliga debut against VfL Bochum. Speaking at Friday’s press conference, Kompany expressed full confidence in the youngster. Urbrig will be the fourth keeper used by the German record champs in the league this season.

Urbig unexpectedly found himself thrust into the limelight in the Champions League on Wednesday, entering on behalf of Neuer in the 58th minute. Even if Urbig had little to do (only eight touches and no saves against shorthanded Bayer Leverkusen) the German giants appear fearless about getting their presumed keeper of the future plenty of top flight practice.

“We’ve played a few times without Manu and it worked out,” Kompany said on Friday, making reference to three league appearances for Daniel Peretz and one for Sven Ulreich. “Nothing will or should change in our basic idea as a result.“

There’s plenty of precedent for Urbrig’s first go in the German top division. Ulreich, Steffen Wessels, Alexander Nübel, Thomas Kraft, Sven Scheuer, and Hans-Jörg Butt also represented the German giants in Europe before the German domestic league.

“The pressure is on the experienced players and not on the ones who come in,” Kompany added. “Jonas has the talent and the mentality. He did well in training and against Leverkusen. That should give him confidence.”

GGFN | Peter Weis