Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany is preparing to reshape his attacking options ahead of the DFB-Pokal semifinal against Bayer Leverkusen, placing renewed faith in Jamal Musiala as Serge Gnabry remains sidelined with injury.
The German champions travel to Leverkusen for Wednesday’s semifinal clash, with Kompany acknowledging the absence of Gnabry while expressing confidence in Musiala’s return to form. “I feel no more pressure than usual. None of us will underestimate this game. We have trust and know what lies ahead,” Kompany said ahead of the match, according to reports from the club’s pre-game press conference.
Musiala, who turned 23 in February, has been a key figure for Bayern this season, contributing significantly in both Bundesliga and Champions League campaigns. The attacking midfielder, known for his close-control dribbling and creativity, returned to action after a layoff due to injury, featuring prominently in recent wins over FC St. Pauli and Real Madrid.
In Bayern’s 5-0 victory against FC St. Pauli, Musiala started and scored what was reported as the historic 101st Bundesliga goal of the season while also providing an assist. Three days later, he played a pivotal role in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, drawing an early yellow card with a mazy dribble before setting up the equalizing goal with a spectacular backheel assist after replacing Gnabry in midfield.
Gnabry’s absence stems from a right thigh adductor strain suffered in training, which ruled him out of Bayern’s title run-in and cast doubt on his availability for the upcoming World Cup. The 30-year-old winger had been occupying Musiala’s preferred central attacking midfield role during the latter’s absence, making his loss a significant tactical consideration for Kompany.
Bayern Munich, celebrating their 35th Bundesliga title, are seeking their first DFB-Pokal final appearance since 2020. The club last reached the final in 2020, defeating Bayer Leverkusen in the process, but have fallen short in the semifinals in recent years, including a 0-1 loss to Leverkusen in the 2023-24 DFB-Pokal round of 16.
The semifinal will take place at Leverkusen’s BayArena, with kickoff scheduled for 20:45 local time (CEST), broadcast live on ZDF and Sky in Germany. Kompany, a former Manchester City captain and defender, emphasized that despite the pressure of ending a six-year wait for a DFB-Pokal final berth, his squad remains focused, and prepared.
“There’s always a first time, and I hope it comes this year,” Kompany said, referencing his own experience as a player who never reached a DFB-Pokal final during his time at Hamburger SV.
Max Eberl, Bayern’s sport director, addressed ongoing transfer speculation surrounding Michael Olise, though no concrete updates were provided in the available reports. The club continues to monitor the situation as they navigate a congested fixture list culminating in the DFB-Pokal final on May 23 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
For now, Kompany’s message is clear: the offensive will be rebuilt around the returning magic of Jamal Musiala, whose flair and fitness could prove decisive in Bayern’s pursuit of domestic cup glory.
Stay tuned to Archysport for updates on Bayern Munich’s DFB-Pokal campaign and post-match analysis following the semifinal against Bayer Leverkusen.
