Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany had a simple answer when asked what separated his team from Real Madrid across two legs, as he said the explanation was clear: “We didn’t lose”.
His side came from behind three times to win 4-3 on the night and eliminate Real Madrid 6-4 on aggregate. “Every time they scored, we reacted and didn’t give up,” he reflected.
Real Madrid had given Bayern every opportunity to buckle. Arda Güler scored inside 45 seconds, capitalising on a Manuel Neuer error to lob into an open
goal. When Güler then bent a free kick into the top corner to make it 2-1 on the night, the tie was level on aggregate and Real Madrid were in front in Munich. Kylian Mbappé added a third before half-time. Bayern answered every time.
“We conceded in the 45th minute, but we reacted well and equalised,” Kompany said. “That’s what I’ll take away from this, our ability to react.”
On facing Real Madrid specifically, Kompany was respectful but unbothered. “There was a lot of quality on the field from both sides. If you look at them, they’re excellent in every position. They didn’t surprise us. But the atmosphere we had here, it’s something special.”
He will now miss the first leg of the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain through suspension, a situation he addressed with barely concealed frustration, similar to Real Madrid’s feelings on the refereeing. “The fourth official should listen to us too. I’m not happy about my yellow card. The three-match ban is too severe.” He pointed to Real Madrid’s own disciplinary record on the night with two red cards, including Güler’s after the final whistle, before adding: “But anyway, it’s not important. I have a lot of confidence in my staff, in the whole club.”
Asked whether PSG would prove tougher opposition than Real Madrid, Kompany paused. “They’re two of the biggest teams right now. You can’t really say. But we’re definitely going to need everything we’ve got to beat them.”
