NewsKompany and Tah Focus on Calm and Unity Ahead of Club Brugge Clash
On the eve of Bayern Munich’s Champions League fixture against Club Brugge, head coach Vincent Kompany and defender Jonathan Tah addressed the media with confidence and composure. Both emphasized focus, discipline, and the sense of unity that continues to define the team under Kompany’s leadership. However, Bayern will be without Serge Gnabry and Josip Stanišić for the match.
Calm before the Champions League battle
As Bayern prepare for another European night at the Allianz Arena, Kompany and Tah highlighted the importance of maintaining stability and concentration. The club enters the match on a strong run of form, following recent domestic wins, but the coach insisted on humility and attention to detail against the Belgian champions.
Kompany confirmed that Serge Gnabry and Josip Stanišić are both unavailable, narrowing Bayern’s rotation options but not shaking the team’s confidence.
“Serge Gnabry and Josip Stanišić are unavailable for tomorrow.” — Vincent Kompany
Tah: “We were all delighted about the coach’s extension”
Jonathan Tah opened the press conference by sharing his thoughts on Kompany’s recent contract renewal, which has been met with widespread support across the club.
“We were all delighted about the contract extension – the team is very happy about it, the whole club is very happy about it.” — Jonathan Tah
Tah praised Kompany’s composed approach and leadership style, noting how the Belgian’s calm presence continues to shape Bayern’s mentality both on and off the pitch.
“He only talked about the next opponent in the meeting. He brings a sense of calm and a focus on the basics, on football. That’s our job — that’s what makes him special.” — Jonathan Tah
Respect for Club Brugge
Tah, who previously faced Club Brugge during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, urged his teammates to approach the match with full seriousness, recognizing the Belgian side’s consistency and tactical strength.
“They’re used to being very dominant in their league. They’re a good team that shouldn’t be underestimated. We have to approach the game seriously.” — Jonathan Tah
Club Brugge, regulars in European competition, have a reputation for tactical discipline and strong home performances. For Bayern, the challenge will be maintaining composure and rhythm despite key absences.
On leadership and teammates
Tah took the opportunity to highlight the strong leadership dynamic within the squad — from Harry Kane’s defensive work rate to the chemistry between Bayern’s center-backs and Manuel Neuer’s presence behind them.
“There’s far too little talk about how Harry works defensively. He pushes us all, he carries us along. Harry runs back and defends all the time — you can’t teach that; you have to want to do it.” — Jonathan Tah
He also praised fellow defenders Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae for their quality and competitiveness in training.
“Dayot is very complete — aggressive, fast, and good at tackling. It’s fun to play with him and with Min-jae, who’s also very aggressive. It’s nice to see such high quality in the position; it makes us all better.” — Jonathan Tah
On Manuel Neuer, Tah spoke with admiration:
“When long balls come, he’s always active and present behind you. That gives every central defender a good feeling.” — Jonathan Tah
Integration and team chemistry
Tah reflected on his smooth integration into the Bayern squad, crediting the Club World Cup as a turning point that helped strengthen team bonds and improve communication on and off the pitch.
“The Club World Cup helped me personally get to know the guys better. We were together in one place for a longer period – that helped me get to know everyone better. I feel very, very comfortable.” — Jonathan Tah
Kompany: “There aren’t many better places than Bayern Munich”
Vincent Kompany reflected on his recent contract extension with humility, explaining that his priority remains preparation and focus rather than publicity. He revealed that he didn’t want the announcement to become a distraction before crucial matches.
“I didn’t really think about the timing; I was too busy preparing for the games. My only request was that it doesn’t become a big topic. It probably surprised you [journalists] more than me.” — Vincent Kompany
Kompany added that his decision to extend was driven by stability, comfort, and a deep sense of belonging in Munich:
“Personally, everything is just right in Munich; it’s not difficult to feel comfortable here with your family. My working environment is very healthy. There aren’t many better places than Bayern Munich.” — Vincent Kompany
Focus on the task ahead
Both Kompany and Tah underlined that the focus remains firmly on performance, not headlines. With Bayern expected to dominate possession against Club Brugge, the key will be patience and precision — qualities Kompany continues to instill in his squad.
The absence of Gnabry and Stanišić may slightly affect rotation, but Bayern’s depth and confidence remain strong heading into another European night under the lights.
Keywords: Vincent Kompany, Jonathan Tah, Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, Champions League, Serge Gnabry, Josip Stanišić, Harry Kane, Manuel Neuer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, press conference, Bayern Fever