Bayern Munich-coach Vincent Kompany said that the Clubworld final collision of his team on Saturday with Paris Saint-Germain will be a fascinating meeting because of their comparable “extreme” playing styles.
Both Luis Enrique's PSG and Kompany's Bayern, Champions of the French and German competitions, like to dominate the ball, press high and play offensive football.
“You have teams that can make a lot of good use of the ball in almost every match, against deep blocks, high presses, everything,” Kompany told a press conference on Friday.
“That creates a kind of what we have seen a lot here, thunderstorms, right? It is a perfect storm. These games are always interesting and … I would pay to view it.”
Bayern and PSG can easily rest on Saturday because of the roof in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which means that there will be no storm disturbance, and Kompany said that the game would be one to enjoy.
“If I was a neutral, I would definitely see this game,” he said. “Both teams have pretty 'extreme' principles, so it is usually an interesting game.”
Despite the clear power of the winners of the Champions League, Kompany said that there was no side that he would rather get than the Parisians.
“There is no reason to think that tomorrow they will not be absolutely at their best, but I think it is the kind of challenge that you like,” he explained.
“If I could choose one team, as a professional athlete, to face as a competitor, they are always the winners, and they are the winners, so we get the chance to play against them.
“It is difficult, it is perhaps the most difficult game, but that's why we are here, so I wouldn't have it in any other way.”
'Completely exaggerated'
The Belgian coach also greeted his PSG opposite Luis Enrique, who won the Treble with the French side.
In November, PSG lost 1-0 against Bayern, but Kompany said that the criticism of the Spaniard was greatly exaggerated at the time.
“I could follow (his press conference) on one of the large screens and all the questions that were asked were completely exaggerated,” said Kompany.
“Really difficult questions, big statements, everything is over, you have failed in your work, you can do nothing – all these big statements.
“But I remember watching his team before we played them, most of them had to win 5-0, but somehow it was 1-1 or they lost, so it was not a reflection of the spirit of the team … (or) of the dominance they had in every game.”
Kompany said he was happy to see the determination of Luis Enrique reward.
“It is nice to see that consistency has paid off at those times, but especially that he was strong enough to continue,” said the coach.
“It's not a compliment that I give, it's just a fact … it's just interesting to do this (rematch) for six months quickly and to see how many things can change.”