„Almost older than me…“: Kompany praises Bayern veteran Manuel Neuer | OneFootball

FC Bayern remain the measure of all things – also thanks to Manuel Neuer. After the clear 5:1 victory in Leipzig, coach Vincent Kompany had strong words for his goalkeeper and captain.

In the away win against RB Leipzig, Manuel Neuer was called upon several times in the first half when Munich’s defence was shaky. He also made a strong save from Yan Diomande in the 72nd minute – a potential turning point in the game. For Kompany, the influence of his captain is far more than sporting. Speaking to Sky after the game, Kompany was full of praise for his experienced goalkeeper: „Not just his energy on the pitch, but also in the dressing room. The way he prepares for every game, keeping his motivation high.“

„We’ve already talked about the fact that he’s almost older than me – and that he still does it like that. It’s amazing,“ the coach continued. He also said with regard to Neuer’s consistency and influence: „He’s simply always there, at exactly the right moment, and helps us a lot.“

Kompany emphasized how important Neuer is for the team: „We benefit enormously from the presence he has for us.“ For the Belgian, the 117-time international is a decisive stabilizing factor: „I don’t think you can praise him enough. When you see how long he’s been doing this and still has this motivation.“

The intensity of Bayern’s play also expressly includes the goalkeeper: „It’s full gas – for the goalkeeper too – and he does it very well for us.“

Neuer: „That was important, of course“

photo: IMAGO

After the game, Manuel Neuer praised the team’s reaction to falling behind at the break. „We’ve fallen behind a few times this season, but we’ve always come back,“ he said on Sky. The clear goal at half-time to turn the game around was also crucial: „That’s what we swore to ourselves.“

Neuer underlined the improved performance in the second half with an impressive figure: „We ran six kilometers more in the second half. And that shows that the will, the motivation, was there.“

On the strong save against Diomande shortly before the end, he said: „That was of course important… Then clearly the one-on-one situation, where of course it’s not yet decided, the game. That’s part of it.“