Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has vowed to maintain his high-risk, attacking style in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG hold a one-goal advantage after last week’s dramatic 5-4 first-leg win in Paris, a match widely praised for its attacking intensity. Both sides were given significant freedom in a game dominated by forward play.
Despite its acclaim, Bayern has faced criticism for defensive vulnerability. Kompany, however, has consistently rejected calls to alter his approach and has doubled down ahead of the decisive return leg in Munich.
Bayern, already Bundesliga champions, have scored 116 goals in 32 league matches, setting a domestic record and ranking among Europe’s most prolific sides. However, they have conceded 16 goals in their last six games and kept only one clean sheet in that run.
While rotation has played a role in some of those matches, Bayern also scored 21 goals during the same six-game period, underlining the effectiveness of their attacking system.
Kompany watched the first leg from the stands due to suspension. Reflecting on the game, he said he saw both positives and areas for improvement.
“I’m not the kind of person who sees things in black or white. For me, what happened in Paris is perfectly logical,” Kompany said on Friday. “I also would be glad to keep a clean sheet, but what we absolutely cannot do is lose what made us strong.”
Bayern’s approach has already delivered dramatic results in the competition. In the quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, they recovered from an early error to fight back multiple times before scoring twice in the final five minutes to progress.
Against PSG in the first leg, Bayern responded twice in quick succession after falling behind in the second half, restoring parity in a four-minute spell.
Midfielder Joshua Kimmich said Bayern would not abandon their style.
“We’re not going to change our style of play in three days and just sit back and defend,” Kimmich said. “We have to win, regardless of whether it’s another 5-4, a 3-2, or a 1-0 victory.”
PSG arrive in Munich having previously lifted the Champions League title there last season. Head coach Luis Enrique has said his side will need “at least three goals” to progress despite their aggregate advantage.
Kompany pointed to PSG’s own success as validation of attacking football.
“PSG were never going to change the style that won them the Champions League last year,” he said. “We come into the match as the team that has won the most games and scored the most goals in Europe. Is anyone going to take a backward step? Nobody will accept that.”
With his suspension now served, Kompany will return to the touchline for the decisive second leg.
“Every team uses the tools at their disposal,” he said. “We’ll use ours. There are things we can improve on, but it’s about winning. We won’t forget that.”
