Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has praised the job Vincent Kompany has done since taking charge of Bayern Munich.
Barca host Bayern in the Champions League on Wednesday evening in what will be the German’s first meeting against his former side.
Flick, 59, spent two years as manager in Bavaria between 2019 and 2021, where he won the Treble, and has made an impressive start to his time with the Blaugrana, whose youthful side are currently top of LaLiga.
And Kompany, who left Burnley to take the reigns at Bayern in the summer, has also won many plaudits for the exciting brand of football he has deployed since his appointment.
The Bavarians are unbeaten in the Bundesliga, scoring 24 goals across their seven games so far, while they also put nine past Dinamo Zagreb on Matchday 1 in the Champions League.
“This season Bayern are playing great football under Kompany”, Flick said.
“They press very high and are brave with and without the ball. It’s going to be a tough game. But we’ll try to do our best and we’re ready.
“They always play a dominant style. They try to put pressure on their opponents, they’re brave, they keep the ball.
“They try to impose their style and their quality. That’s their DNA.”
The two sides have had similar fortunes in the Champions League so far, with Bayern following up their 9-2 win over Zagreb with a shock 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last time out.
Barcelona, meanwhile, began their campaign with defeat to Monaco before thrashing Young Boys 5-0 on Matchday 2.
🔊 Hansi Flick on his first few months in Barcelona. “I’m very comfortable here … The city and Club, it’s something spectacular … The passion of the fans on the street.” pic.twitter.com/vJuvIeHZVX
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 22, 2024
Credit to Barca for nurturing ‘exceptional’ Yamal
Kompany hailed Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, who at 17 is already well on his way to becoming a talismanic figure in Catalonia.
The Bayern boss sees similarities between the Spanish Euro 2024 winner and club icon Lionel Messi, who broke through from Barca’s La Masia academy at a similar age.
“For my generation, Messi was one of the key figures of our era,” Kompany said.
“To shortly after this player leaving already have potentially a player who can replace him is quite unique.
“Full credit to La Masia for always trusting these players and giving them the chance.”
🚨🎙️| Vincent Kompany: “Lamine Yamal? For Barcelona, it is exceptional that shortly after the departure of Messi, a key figure, they already have another player who can replace him. All my respect to La Masia.” #fcblive pic.twitter.com/C8Bl4TWEw3
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) October 22, 2024
But the former Manchester City captain knows his side will have to focus on more than just one player when they lock horns with the LaLiga leaders on Wednesday night.
He added: “The question for us is not about stopping [Yamal], but trying to win a game against Barcelona, which means [stopping] all the players, not one.
“The focus is on the team, not one player, but he’s an exceptional player.”
