Bayern coach 鈥榥ot in the mood鈥� for question about Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz

Bayern Munich鈥檚 Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany oversees a training session of his players on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Last 16, first-leg, match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Mar. 4, 2025 in Munich. (AFP)
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  • 鈥淚鈥檓 talking but it鈥檚 easier to say nothing. I鈥檓 trying to be respectful, but guys, other questions!鈥� Kompany said
  • Wirtz has been consistently linked with a move to Bayern

MUNICH: Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany gave up trying to answer a question about what makes Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz special.
Ahead of the teams meeting in the Champions League on Wednesday, Kompany was asked what sets Wirtz and Bayern star Jamal Musiala apart and what they could learn from each other.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e obviously noticed I鈥檓 not in the mood to answer,鈥� Kompany said Tuesday.
鈥淔rom each other, I don鈥檛 know,鈥� Kompany attempted at first before saying each player has to take his own path in his development.
He said it was a boon for Germany, before saying his players will need be at their best to counter Leverkusen in Munich.
Then he gave up.
鈥淚鈥檓 talking but it鈥檚 easier to say nothing. I鈥檓 trying to be respectful, but guys, other questions!鈥� Kompany said in the press conference before the first leg of the teams鈥� last 16 tie.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a good question,鈥� he continued. 鈥淚 would perhaps have asked it in your position, but still, perhaps you鈥檇 feel the same if you were sitting in my seat.鈥�
Wirtz has been consistently linked with a move to Bayern, the speculation fueled by comments from Bayern powerbroker Uli Hoene脽 saying he would like to see the 21-year-old attacking midfielder play for the Bavarian powerhouse one day.
Kompany said midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovi膰 was sick and will miss the game.
Bayern haven鈥檛 beaten Leverkusen in three attempts so far this season. The teams most recently drew 0-0 in Leverkusen in the Bundesliga 鈥� a game the home team dominated from start to finish. Leverkusen previously knocked Bayern out of the German Cup, while they drew their first meeting 1-1 in Munich, where Bayern had been better.
Bayern have failed to beat Leverkusen in all six games they鈥檝e played since their former player Xabi Alonso took over as Leverkusen coach in October 2022.