Two of the loudest voices in European coaching were working the same match on Wednesday night, and only one of them had a touchline. Jürgen Klopp sat in the DAZN studio as a pundit, Vincent Kompany worked the sideline at the Allianz Arena, and by half-time of Bayern Munich’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Arsenal the Germany head coach was already pulling at the stitching of his hosts’ defensive work.
Klopp’s puzzlement was specific. He could not read the system behind the system.
“I haven’t fully understood Bayern’s defensive system yet. Their style of play is sometimes hybrid; sometimes man-marking, sometimes individual defending, sometimes zonal defending,” he said on air.
The sharper edge was reserved for Harry Kane. Klopp was fine with what the England striker did with the ball at his feet; it was the picture without the ball that bothered him.
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“It is also said that Harry Kane is everywhere on the pitch. I find that wonderful when Bayern have the ball. But when I see Kane in the last defensive line, or pressing in midfield… listen, I am not the father of football, and everyone is free to do as they wish, but I cannot say that I understand Bayern’s way of playing.”
Kompany: ‘Next question’
Kompany was handed the Klopp question in his post-match press conference. He left it on the floor.
“Yes, I’m not saying anything about that. Next question,” he told reporters, according to FC Bayern Inside, declining to engage with the Germany head coach’s reading of his side.
He was happier to talk about Kane, who had set up Alphonso Davies for Bayern’s opening goal and then won and converted a penalty that briefly put the hosts 2-1 up.
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“Kane has a special instinct that makes him know when to drop back and when to move into other areas of the pitch,” Kompany said of his striker.
Bayern led twice, Rice levelled late
For 90 minutes Bayern never quite closed the door. Davies finished for the opener, Eberechi Eze replied for Arsenal, Kane’s penalty restored the lead, and Declan Rice equalised in the closing stages to leave the Allianz with a point apiece.
Kompany’s own verdict was less bruised than Klopp’s. He called it a “fair result” against a “top opponent” and said his players had done enough through a congested run of fixtures.
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