By Rasheed Adewuyi, New York
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has dismissed suggestions that his side were outplayed by Paris Saint-Germain despite Bayern’s dramatic UEFA Champions League semi-final exit on Wednesday night.
Bayern were eliminated 6–5 on aggregate after a tense 1–1 draw at the Allianz Arena in Munich, with PSG advancing to the final following an extraordinary two-legged contest. The French champions had edged the first leg 5–4 in Paris before surviving relentless Bayern pressure in Germany to secure qualification.
PSG struck early through Ousmane Dembélé, whose third-minute goal gave the visitors breathing space before Harry Kane equalised deep into stoppage time. The late Bayern goal, however, was not enough to overturn the aggregate deficit.
Despite the elimination, Kompany insisted Bayern matched PSG throughout the contest and successfully disrupted several aspects of the French side’s game plan.
“I don’t agree,” Kompany said when asked if Bayern had fallen short. “Many of the things PSG do really well is the pressing and the forwards attacking space. I don’t think that part of the game plan they were able to execute because we did well in possession.”
The Bayern manager pointed to his side’s ability to progress the ball into dangerous attacking areas but admitted the decisive moments ultimately favoured PSG.
“We arrived in lots of dangerous positions but just in the moment to cross or play the final ball, PSG defended really well,” he explained. “It took us a long time. It was 1–1. We have to mention the decisions of course.”
Kompany also voiced frustration over controversial refereeing calls, including a disputed handball incident involving Konrad Laimer and a reviewed red-card situation.
“The red card, apparently Konrad Laimer they think he touched the ball with his hand but I can’t see an image showing that,” he said. “Maybe it exists, but I didn’t see it.”
Still, the Belgian coach stopped short of blaming officials entirely for Bayern’s elimination, stressing that accountability must remain with the team.
“Always as a team you have to take responsibility if you win or lose,” Kompany told BBC Sport. “We have a completely different opinion on the handball decisions, but these referee decisions cannot decide it.”
The semi-final produced one of the most entertaining ties in recent Champions League history. The first leg at the Parc des Princes saw PSG edge Bayern 5–4 in a nine-goal thriller featuring braces from Dembélé and goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and João Neves for the hosts, while Kane, Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano and Luis Díaz scored for Bayern.
Despite the disappointment, Kompany maintained that Bayern remain close to returning to Europe’s summit.
“It could have been this year,” he said. “Maybe next year those details go in our favour.”
His comments reflected both frustration and belief after a tie many observers viewed as decided by fine margins rather than clear superiority.
PSG will now face Arsenal F.C. in the UEFA Champions League final at Puskás Aréna on 30 May, while Bayern are left to reflect on another painful near miss in Europe’s elite competition.