Kompany: ‘Bayern Munich must prepare for different Inter approaches’ | OneFootball

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany is expecting a ‘special night’ at San Siro in the Champions League quarter-final, calling it ‘one of the top five stadiums’ in the world. ‘We have to prepare’ for different Inter approaches.

It kicks off at San Siro on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

The Nerazzurri won the first leg 2-1 in Munich with goals from Lautaro Martinez and Davide Frattesi, while Thomas Muller had come off the bench to score a temporary equaliser.

It means Bayern have a mountain to climb in order to reach the Champions League semi-finals, especially against a team that has conceded only three goals in the whole tournament.

“There are special nights where it doesn’t take much to decide a match, which is what happened in the first leg, so we mustn’t forget those chances we could’ve made more of and could have again,” said Kompany in his press conference.

“We’ve got to start out aware that details can make the difference, whether you are defending or putting the ball in the net. This is the key to winning the game. We want to make our fans happy.”

This is a clash between two European giants who both have the ambition of winning the Champions League.

“I can already feel the atmosphere and we’re only in the press room,” smiled the coach.

“At this moment, Inter are the best team in Italy, and they are facing the best team in Germany. This is what the results say, and our sensations are fantastic, because there are few stadiums bigger than this one.

“It is an exceptional match in an exceptional atmosphere, and we will do our best. Nothing will be easy, it could even be decided at the last minute, or in extra time.

“Both sides have a lot of international experience, so it will be decisive and important.”

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Vincent Kompany, Head Coach of Bayern Munich, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Inter and Milan are trying to get San Siro knocked down to build a new arena, but many are eager to keep the existing structure, which is iconic.

“It is one of the top five stadiums with Nou Camp, Wembley, the Allianz for sure. It’s a special stadium, a special atmosphere, but the only advantage for Bayern Munich is we have to expect the players get used to it and become better in these moments,” noted Kompany.

“It is not something necessarily negative, players can have a special memory of these places as well.”

Former Napoli defender Kim Min-jae received a great deal of criticism after his recent performances.

“I have been very clear, it’s not just about one player,” warned Kompany.

“We’ve had a few setbacks with players missing and at some point the squad was quite small, but we have the energy to still be positive, create chances, try to be better than the opponent even in big games.

“The last thing I want to do is to start turning on individuals for my team. If there is something I need to say to a player, I will say it face to face, make sure the team learns from it too.

“We do not have the luxury at this moment to start isolating people. I know sometimes this is a sport where a lot of people have fun in taking that side of it, but the team I have is the team I have, and I believe in all of them.”

epa12019014 Head coach Vincent Kompany of Munich reacts during the UEFA Champions League quarter final 1st leg between FC Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in Munich, Germany, 08 April 2025. EPA-EFE/ANNA SZILAGYI

Manuel Neuer is still on the absentee list with Jamal Musiala, Dayot Upamecano, Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies, but Kingsley Coman and Aleksandar Pavlovic return after missing the first leg.

“We have to take into account that every minute could be decisive, so it doesn’t matter if Gnabry, Sané, Coman or Olise start, the important thing is that they are able to be decisive. I will choose tomorrow morning and I don’t think it will be a problem.”

Conceding an early goal against Inter in the second leg could be disastrous, but Kompany continues to think positive.

“I don’t think the first leg was bad, we lost 2-1, but must now focus on winning the next match. It could have a different development, we need a certain balance between courage and control.”

Kompany expects unpredictable Inter

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Vincent Kompany, Head Coach of Bayern Munich, shakes hands with Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

What does Kompany expect from Inter tomorrow, considering they have a 2-1 advantage?

“You’d have to ask Inzaghi. The biggest thing for us will be the kind of press that Inter adopt. If there is a high press and they decide to be aggressive, we will have to prepare for that, if they are compact and play on the counter, then we have to prepare for that as well.

“They are a team with a tremendous amount of quality. In those games, you have to trust that the players make the right decisions in the right moments.

“People keep talking about Inter’s defensive qualities, but they have a lot of quality in attack too. I don’t think the second leg will be the same as the first, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t feel positive. We don’t have to score 2, 3, or 4, we just have to win.”

Marcus Thuram impressed in the Bundesliga, but has gone from strength to strength at Inter.

“I watched many Inter games and Marcus makes the difference, can create situations out of nothing, force errors out of his opponents. The important thing now is for him not to doubt himself,” replied Kompany.

“I think tomorrow he will try to show his quality, but naturally I hope he doesn’t manage it.”

Towards the end of the press conference, Kompany became frustrated with the questions that the German media were posing to him, especially about his own future being at stake.

“You always talk about what if we don’t win, not what if we win. That’s the main mindset, you don’t achieve anything in these games if you think about not winning. I don’t think you can achieve anything at this level with that mindset.

“It is the middle of April, we are one step away from the Champions League semi-final, we are three games away from winning the Bundesliga, so if that’s not opportunity, then what is it?”