"The Kompany gamble" paid off, but for how long?
Against Real Madrid, a team prioritising direct counterattacking football using their speedy forwards, Vincent Kompany still pushed the players high up the field to create a suffocating pressing system. And it worked.
In the first half, Bayern made life hell for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Pitarch, and Federico Valverde, who frequently turned the ball over in dangerous territory. Bayern's opening goal was a result of such intense pressure.
However, this is a double-edged sword. If the ball somehow finds its way forward towards Real Madrid's strikers, they will be in a 2v2 action against Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah. Bayern fans have confidence in the centre-back duo's talent, but they are playing a losing battle if continuously put into one-on-one duels with Vini Jr. and Mbappe. Bayern's weakness was on display in the second half when Alvaro Arbeloa showed a more direct approach, subbing in Jude Bellingham.
My speculation for the returning leg is that he will free Valverde from a midfield role and put him wider on the flank, where he can occupy the open space on the right side on counters, as he did against Manchester City.
Kompany might have to consider pulling away from his pressing philosophy and playing a more conservative low block in key situations of the game, as Los Blancos have been historically bad at penetrating teams that sit deep following Toni Kroos' retirement.