Vincent Kompany has confirmed that the third-choice keeper of Bayern Munich, Jonas Urbig, is in line on Saturday to make his Bundesliga debut against Bochum.
Urbig replaced Manuel Neuer in the 58th minute of Bayern's 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League round of 16 first leg conflicts in midweek.
The Bayern captain tore his calf muscle after celebrating the goal of Jamal Musiala that put the Kompany side 2-0 in the game.
Daniel Peretz, normally the Neuer backup between the sticks, is also sidelined after a kidney contusion in the training in January.
“I assume that Manuel needs time for the international break to recover, but we don't know. It can take longer,” Kompany told reporters on Friday.
“We are happy that there is a break. I think that will help us. I don't want to put great pressure on Jonas.
“He has done everything well in the training and in the competitions so far. That should give him confidence … He has talent and our confidence.”
Former Cologne player Urbig joined Bayern in January with a contract of four and a half years after Leen Proverbs in Jahn Regensburg and Greuther Fuerth.
𝑫𝑬𝑩𝑼𝑻 𝑩𝑶𝒀
Congratulations on your first #fcbayern and first #UCL -OUDER, Jonas! #Miasanmia #fcbb04 pic.twitter.com/te0hztqioz
– FC Bayern (@fcbayernen) March 6, 2025
Although Bayern will play their third-choice keeper this weekend, they will have the confidence to continue their push for the Bundesliga crown this weekend.
They have only lost one of their 37 Bundesliga matches against Bochum (W28 D8), with the only defeat that returns in August 1991.
Bayern also won 7-0 in two of their last three top matches against this weekend's opponents, their two toughest defeats in the Bundesliga.
The side of Kompany has won each of their last 10 Bundesliga-home competitions, their best run since the 2018-19 season under Borussia Dortmund boss Niko Kovac (11).
Bayern has indeed scored at least three goals in each of these 10 games. An 11th straight house game with at least three goals would be the same as the record of Bundesliga, itself in 1993 under Erich Ribbeck.
They have an eight -pointed lead at the top of the rankings, but Kompany said that a busy list of fixture was added to Bayern's challenge to keep the title, with the team playing its third game in the room of seven days.
“We want to be fresh for every game. It's not a choice, but a necessity … it's about rotation and freshness,” he said.
Kompany, whose Burnley side was banned from the Premier League previous term, said he did not underestimate Bochum, who occupied 16th in the rankings.
“I was in a relegation struggle last season. I know how a club in a relegation warriors in a week like this preparation,” he said.
“You don't go into a game like a small team to see how good Bayern could be. You are focused on every corner, every duel, every ball.
“I know these games … are the most dangerous if you start thinking that it will all just train.
“Only tomorrow is interesting for us and our focus is currently,” he added for the Champions League bone of Tuesday at Leverkusen.