Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany broke out his spreadsheets (no #BrazzoPowerPoint needed) to try and figure out what needs to happen for his team to avoid a playoff round in the Champions League.
“I spent my Sunday doing the maths. That’s also my job. I have a rough idea of what would have to happen. In the end, we have to focus on our game. It’s a home game and we’re strong at home,” said Kompany (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “This format is fun for the statisticians. For me it’s important that we focus on winning. We are always strong at home. I expect the motivation to always be there and to play a complete game from the start. We respect the opponent. For me it’s important that we focus on what we can influence and that is our game. We can’t influence other results.”
As for the potential of participating in the playoff round, Kompany will just roll with the punches should it come to that.
“We will prepare ourselves as best as possible for what’s to come. The goal was of course to win six games and get into the top 8. Now we have to try to win a fifth game and then we’ll see what happens. No matter what comes our way, we will take it on with full force,” said Kompany. “I can’t criticise the format, it has a high entertainment factor and we are in an entertainment industry. When it comes to fairness, you have to judge it by the competition. The different schedules obviously have an impact on the competition, but that’s not a criticism. In terms of entertainment value, we’re in a good place and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”
With all of that out of the way, Kompany was able to talk some of the outstanding personnel issues, including the situations surrounding Mathys Tel, Eric Dier, and Manuel Neuer.
“We are always in close contact with our players, We’ve had many discussions with Mathys. It’s important that we are always in contact. Everything that he needs to know from us and that we need to know from him is communicated. It stays in the family,” Kompany stated. “Eric Dier is a bit sick. He worked individually and could be there tomorrow. Manuel Neuer has trained individually and will definitely play tomorrow.”
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