Kompany Surprises: Musiala and Urbig Start for Bayern Against Eindhoven

In the final match of the UEFA Champions League group stage, FC Bayern Munich faced PSV Eindhoven, aiming to solidify their position in the next round. Coach Vincent Kompany made unexpected choices, reinstating Jonas Urbig as goalkeeper. Manuel Neuer, who had already rested during league play, was placed on the bench.

Kompany’s Surprising Line-up Choices

Urbig’s appointment allowed him to redeem himself following a previous mistake against Augsburg. The defensive setup featured Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah as central defenders. Hiroki Ito and Tom Bischof rounded out the backline, with Upamecano returning after missing two games due to illness.

Injuries and Suspensions

• Minjae Kim: Suspended
• Konrad Laimer: Injured
• Josip Stanisic: Injured
• Raphaël Guerreiro: Injured

In central midfield, Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic formed a double pivot. Jamal Musiala made his much-anticipated starting debut after recovering from a long illness. The attacking trio consisted of Luis Díaz on the left, Lennart Karl on the right, and Nicolas Jackson leading the line.

Substitutes and Tactical Strategy

Notably, star players Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry appeared on the bench alongside Michael Olise. Bayern Munich aimed to secure second place in the group, as a single point would guarantee their advancement to the knockout stage.

Munich entered the match with 18 points, needing a positive result to maintain home advantage in future fixtures, including a potential semifinal clash. Meanwhile, Real Madrid trailed by three points, keeping pressure on Bayern.

PSV Eindhoven’s Challenge

PSV Eindhoven faced significant stakes, requiring a win to remain in contention for a playoff spot. The Dutch champions were expected to adopt an attacking strategy, driving forward with pace, particularly on the flanks. Key player Joey Veerman was crucial in orchestrating their offense from the center.

The match was pivotal for both teams, with Bayern looking to secure their playoff position and Eindhoven desperate for points.