Kompany warns Bayern of Atalanta threat as Champions League knockouts begin | OneFootball

The decisive phase of the season begins for Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, as the German champions travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie.

With the second leg scheduled in Munich next week, Vincent Kompany’s side know that a positive result in Italy could provide a crucial foundation in their pursuit of the final in Budapest on 30 May.

Bayern arrive in strong form and with confidence running high. They have won their last six matches across all competitions with a combined goal difference of 20–6, while their domestic campaign appears firmly under control.

An eleven-point lead in the Bundesliga and a place in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals suggest the Bavarians have handled their early-season goals efficiently. Yet there is a clear understanding that the matches ahead will define the season.

Standing in their way are an Atalanta side that has built a reputation for intensity, aggression and tactical bravery.

Kompany acknowledged that the Italian club presents a unique challenge, particularly because of their relentless pressing and man-to-man style across the pitch.

The Belgian explained that his players have been carefully prepared for the tactical patterns they are likely to face in Bergamo, highlighting both the structural similarities to other opponents and the distinctive pressure Atalanta applies when defending.

“We’re playing tomorrow against a physically strong team,” Kompany said while discussing the upcoming test.

“There are similarities with the game in Dortmund in terms of their build-up with a back three and the deep runs from the wide players. But what makes Atalanta special is the pressure they apply. They go man-to-man all over the pitch, and they’ve been doing that for years, which has been a big part of their success.”

While Bayern are widely viewed as favourites across the two legs, Kompany insisted his team cannot afford to be complacent. La Dea has repeatedly proven difficult opponents for German sides in recent years, including a convincing European triumph over Bayer 04 Leverkusen not long ago.

“I don’t think we can have any prejudices about this game,” the Belgian coach continued. “When I look at the level of Atalanta’s performances in Europe, I see a lot of quality and a very well-coached team. It was a difficult match for Dortmund and Frankfurt, too. So for us it’s a very interesting game, but also a very difficult one.”

Bayern’s preparations have been complicated by the absence of captain Manuel Neuer, who suffered another muscle injury during the recent victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. The veteran goalkeeper will miss the trip to Italy, leaving Jonas Urbig to start between the posts in one of the biggest matches of his young career.

Kompany, however, downplayed the idea that the tie would hinge on the goalkeeper situation alone, stressing that Bayern’s collective performance will be far more important.

“These knockout matches are important for his development,” Kompany said about Urbig. “But he already has some experience now. Last year in this round, we did very well against a very strong Leverkusen side with Jonas in goal. Still, I always say the same thing. Tomorrow is not about Jonas, it’s about the overall performance of our team.”

Defender Josip Stanišić echoed that sentiment when speaking to the media, insisting that Bayern’s approach will not change simply because a different goalkeeper is starting.

The Croatian international pointed to Urbig’s progress over the past year and a half and expressed full confidence in the young goalkeeper’s ability to step in.

“Jonas is an outstanding footballer and also a very good goalkeeper,” Stanišić explained. “We’ve seen that over the last year and a half, and he’s made a huge step recently. For us as a team, nothing really changes. Maybe you’d have to ask the opponents if they approach the goal differently when they see Manuel Neuer or Jonas Urbig, but for us it’s the same.”

Beyond the goalkeeping situation, Bayern are also cautiously optimistic about Harry Kane’s fitness, who returned to training ahead of the trip to Italy. Kompany confirmed that the striker will travel with the squad, though a final decision on his involvement will be taken closer to kick-off.

“He came through training very well today,” Kompany said. “Now we have to decide what is best for tomorrow. The important thing is that he is with the squad and can play a role in the match.”

Even with Bayern’s attacking firepower, including Kane alongside Michael Olise and Luis Díaz, the players are fully aware that Atalanta’s aggressive style could make Tuesday’s encounter a demanding battle.

Stanišić emphasised that the Italian side’s identity is built on relentless intensity and physical duels, something Bayern must be ready to match from the opening whistle.

“The first thing that defines them is their aggression from the first second,” he said. “They never hold back, and every duel is played at one hundred percent. That’s something we simply have to face.”

For Kompany, however, the start of the Champions League knockout rounds is less about pressure and more about opportunity. With the decisive weeks of the season beginning, the Bayern manager is eager to see his side embrace the moment rather than fear it.

“I’ve never experienced this phase as pressure,” he said. “What I love is that now you have possibilities. We worked hard to reach this point, and now we have the chance to do something special. We want to go through and we want to win.”