KOMPANY’S MIND GAMES: IS MANUEL NEUER ACTUALLY FIT OR IS IT KLASSIKER PRE-MATCH BLUSTER?
Manuel Neuer injury update: Read about his "lightning speed" recovery and Vincent Kompany’s plans for Der Klassiker against Dortmund.
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany sounded upbeat about Manuel Neuer’s chances of returning for Der Klassiker. Neuer, 39 and still the club’s rock in goal, bounced back from a calf injury much faster than anyone expected. Now, he’s in the mix to start Saturday against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, a huge lift for Bayern as they push to stay clear at the top.
Neuer picked up his injury two weeks ago in a 3-0 win over Werder Bremen. At the time, most people figured he’d miss the trip to Dortmund. But he’s moved through rehab at lightning speed. Kompany admitted in Friday’s press conference that Neuer caught the staff by surprise with how quickly he’s healed. They’ll make a final call after the last training session before heading to Dortmund.
Kompany didn’t hide his optimism. “Manu looks pretty good, actually. We thought he’d be out longer. He’s doing well and might even train today,” he said. Still, nothing’s guaranteed until that last fitness check. If Neuer doesn’t make it, Kompany said 22-year-old Jonas Urbig is ready to step in. “If it’s not enough for tomorrow, then we’ll go with Jonas Urbig,” he added, sounding confident that the young keeper can handle the pressure even if that means filling the gloves of a legend with 26 wins in 44 games against Dortmund.
This Klassiker comes with extra weight. Bayern are locked in at the top, and Dortmund, just dumped out of the Champions League 4-1 by Atalanta, are licking their wounds. Kompany isn’t reading too much into Dortmund’s midweek collapse, though. He knows a big loss can light a fire under a team. “It can do anything. Obviously, it’s a setback. It was a game where Dortmund could’ve gone through, too. Mentally, it always does something. What happens next can go either way,” Kompany told reporters, expecting a scrap on Saturday.
Instead of fixating on Dortmund’s struggles, Kompany focused on the mood in his own camp. He talked about the energy and aggression he’s seen in training, the kind of edge that makes a difference in tough away games. “We control how we approach this match. We’ve had a good week,” he said, giving his squad credit for their hunger. “There was this healthy aggression in training, which I love.” It’s that competitive fire, he believes, that sets title-winning teams apart, especially when they’re headed into the heart of enemy territory.
LUIS DIAZ DECLARES BAYERN MOVE "RIGHT DECISION" AFTER SLAYING REAL MADRID
Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher react as Luis Diaz haunts Madrid. Is the €75m star the world's best winger?
Luis Diaz says he has no regrets about leaving Liverpool and feels he made the right call by signing with Bayern Munich last summer.
He landed in Bavaria for €75 million (about $87 million/£66 million), and honestly, he hit the ground running, scoring 23 goals and 18 assists already. He’s even chasing some European silverware after scoring the opener in Bayern’s Champions League quarterfinal first-leg win over Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The Bundesliga title looks just about wrapped up, too; Bayern’s nine points clear at the top, so Diaz will probably add a winners’ medal to his collection.
Everyone’s talking about Vincent Kompany’s team as one of Europe’s best, and with Liverpool struggling this season, it’s easy to see why Diaz feels moving to Germany was the right move.
“Coming to Bayern was absolutely the right decision for me. I’m really happy, and I enjoy every game,” Diaz told ESPN after Bayern’s 2-1 win at the Bernabeu. “I feel strong, and that’s helped me stay available to help the team.”
Diaz’s red-hot form even got Steven Gerrard talking about wanting him back at Anfield, and Jamie Carragher agrees Liverpool misses him.
He might actually play at Anfield again later this month, if both Bayern and Liverpool get through their Champions League quarterfinals. If Real and PSG go out, Bayern and Liverpool face off in the semis.
When asked about Bayern’s showing in Madrid, Diaz said, “We’re happy, but we feel like we could’ve scored another goal or two. We played a great match against a really tough opponent.
“We won the ball, moved it quickly, and executed our game plan. We’d already studied Real Madrid, and everything worked the way we expected.
“We felt comfortable, recovered the ball more, and controlled the match better. That’s exactly how we like to play.”
Diaz and Harry Kane both scored for Bayern, while Kylian Mbappe grabbed a late goal for Real to keep things interesting heading into the second leg.
Back at Liverpool, Diaz scored 41 goals in 148 games and picked up a Premier League title, the FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups. He made 36 appearances in the Reds’ 2024/25 title-winning season, and a lot of people feel Liverpool’s struggles this year are down to losing him.
WHY BAYERN MUNICH AND RAPHAEL GUERREIRO ARE PARTING WAYS THIS SUMMER
Bayern Munich and Raphael Guerreiro agree to part ways this June, ending a versatile three-year stint at Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich announced on Monday that it and Raphael Guerreiro have agreed not to extend his contract. The 32-year-old will leave the Allianz Arena this coming June, ending a three-year stint that began with a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023.
The decision to part ways seems to be mutual, with both club and player aiming to finish the current season strong. During his time in Munich, the Portuguese international has been a dependable figure, contributing to Bayern’s Bundesliga title and the DFL-Supercup win. Now, attention turns to securing more silverware before Guerreiro’s departure.
Max Eberl, Bayern’s sporting director, praised Guerreiro’s role beyond the field, highlighting the defender’s professionalism and influence in the locker room, especially during times of change for the club. Eberl remarked, “We want to thank Rapha for the time we shared: he could always be counted on on the pitch, and people with his character enrich any dressing room. The conversations with him were good, based on trust and understanding. Now we are focusing together on our goals until the summer; together we want to achieve much more.”
Throughout his time at Bayern, Guerreiro has been valued for his versatility. Described as a ‘Swiss Army knife’ by the coaching staff, he has made 89 appearances, scored 12 goals, and provided eight assists. His flexibility has allowed him to perform as a traditional left-back, wing-back, and even in midfield. This season alone, he has featured in 23 matches across all competitions, starting nine times and scoring four goals.
On the international stage, Guerreiro remains an experienced and decorated professional. With 65 caps and four goals for Portugal, he played a significant part in their Euro 2016 victory and the first UEFA Nations League triumph in 2019. He also represented Portugal in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, underscoring his enduring presence at the highest level of the game.
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