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Kompany and Kimmich savouring PSG duel
- Bayern München will face PSG in Club World Cup quarter-finals
- Vincent Kompany says he would 'pay to watch this game'
- Joshua Kimmich convinced Bayern can 'beat anyone'
A global powerhouse and serial winning machine, FC Bayern München are not accustomed to entering matches as underdogs.
Saturday’s FIFA Club World Cup™ quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain will be one of those rare exceptions to the norm. PSG travelled to the tournament on the back of being crowned European champions for the first time and have displayed their formidable quality in the USA, notably in 4-0 victories over Atlético de Madrid and Inter Miami CF.
Bayern’s collective talent, experience and strength of character will ensure they are not overawed by the challenge, however. They can also take confidence from the fact they prevailed when the teams last met, securing a 1-0 success in a UEFA Champions League clash in November 2024.
Speaking on the eve of the tantalising showdown in Atlanta, coach Vincent Kompany wore the demeanour of a man relishing the battle ahead.
“If I was a neutral, I’d come to see this game,” he said. “I would pay to watch it. PSG are an amazing team, there’s no two ways about it. I think the key word is they are a team. It’s not just necessarily the individual quality. I haven’t seen many teams who play with their intensity in every phase of the game. We have been pretty good at similar things as well. And we have a feeling for scoring goals.
“It’s not the type of game where you know you’re going to win. It’s one where you know you have a chance, but it’s going to have to be your best game. That’s fine. That’s what we want. If I was still able to play myself, I’d be looking forward to this game.”
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On the specific threats PSG provide, Kompany added: “Teams like PSG test you in everything. If you commit the numbers to press them, you can maybe create a positive action. At the same time, they can be dangerous because they have players who can retain the ball and who can attack with speed. But we have that as well.
"These games are played on a knife-edge. You have to earn the right to have space, earn the right to have a shot, and even earn the right to recover the ball.”
Midfielder Joshua Kimmich is primed to be in the thick of the action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 30-year-old revealed his conviction Bayern can topple PSG and advance to a semi-final against either Real Madrid C.F. or Borussia Dortmund.
“At the moment, PSG are maybe the strongest team [in the world]. They won the Champions League, so the challenge for us is amazing. We also have a really good team with amazing players. We have learned in the last season that we can beat every opponent.
“For the fans, I think it will be an amazing game. As a player, it’s always a goal to face the best players and the best teams, because it’s the biggest challenge you can have. The most important thing for us is we have this mental strength and the belief we can win. We will go into the game really confident.”
Kimmich is further emboldened by the fact Bayern can call upon one of the deadliest strikers in world football. Harry Kane was at his ruthless best in their last-16 clash with CR Flamengo, with two sumptuous finishes helping his side to a 4-2 success.
“We know we can trust him,” Kimmich said. “It gives you confidence in the team and our strength. We felt it last game, but it is not only that he scores goals, he also works a lot for the team. For him, the most important thing is that we win as a team.”
