National team: Matthäus is now a force to be reckoned with in the Kimmich debate

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany faces uncertainty over his availability for Wednesday’s Champions League match against Arsenal, with assistant coach Aaron Danks preparing to take charge if the Belgian remains sidelined by illness. The club confirmed on Tuesday morning that midfielder Joshua Kimmich will miss the fixture following a death in his immediate family. The encounter, scheduled for 21:00 local time at the Allianz Arena, pits the German champions against the previous season’s final contenders in a crucial league phase contest. Kompany, 40, is battling a persistent viral infection that has significantly impacted his physical condition since early last week. According to Danks, the virus has caused pain and partially impaired the movement of Kompany’s legs. During Saturday’s 6-1 Bundesliga victory over RB Leipzig, the coach was unable to stand for extended periods and sat on the bench for much of the match. Reports indicated that Kompany avoided using the stairs in the player tunnel, opting instead for an alternative exit near the corner of the stadium to access the pitch. After the final whistle, he walked slowly onto the field to celebrate with his staff despite his exhaustion. The sporting director, Max Eberl, who represented Kompany at the post-match press conference, described the situation as serious. "It does not feel good for him at all," Eberl stated, noting that hip problems compounded the viral infection. On Monday, Kompany underwent further medical examinations at the club’s facility. While he worked on opponent analysis remotely on Sunday, he stayed home on Monday, leaving the secret training session to Danks. The club aims for Kompany to lead the final training session on Tuesday and be present on the sidelines on Wednesday, though this outcome remains uncertain. Danks emphasized that resting is the priority, acknowledging the difficulty in convincing the coach to take necessary downtime. If Kompany cannot attend the stadium, Danks, 43, will assume the head coaching duties. This would not be a new scenario for the Englishman, who previously managed the team during Kompany’s suspension in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain. That match ended in a 4-5 defeat for Bayern. Danks expressed confidence in the squad’s preparation, stating that the routine remains unchanged regardless of who stands in the technical area. "I have learned a lot from many leaders, especially from Kompany," Danks said. He noted that communication with Kompany continues throughout the process, allowing the head coach to contribute input even if absent from the arena. Midfielder Joshua Kimmich will also be absent from the lineup. The club issued a statement expressing deep sympathy for Kimmich and his family following the sudden passing of his father, identified by media reports as Berthold Kimmich, aged 57. The club requested respect for the family’s privacy and asked journalists to refrain from further inquiries. Kimmich had already missed the final training session on Tuesday, which the club initially attributed to private reasons. His absence adds to a list of absences that includes suspended forward Michael Olise. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s status remains undecided. Having returned to training for the past two days after a minor foot injury that kept him out of the Leipzig match, the veteran keeper is being assessed on a day-by-day basis. Danks indicated that no final decision regarding Neuer’s inclusion had been made as of Tuesday. The team enters the match seeking to improve upon their recent European campaign results. Bayern drew 3-3 with Viking Stavanger in Norway last week and won 5-0 against Bodø/Glimt earlier in the group stage. Their opponents, Arsenal, have won both of their previous matches in the current phase, including a 1-0 away victory at Napoli and a 3-1 win against Bayern in London during the previous season’s league phase. Prior to the international break, former national team captain Lothar Matthäus publicly defended Kimmich against criticism regarding his role under new national team manager Jürgen Klopp. Speaking after the Leipzig match, Matthäus praised Kimmich as an absolute leader whose quality makes him indispensable. Kimmich responded positively to the comments, thanking Matthäus for the support. The national team is set to face Serbia in Belgrade on November 13 and the Netherlands in Berlin three days later. Danks highlighted the importance of detail in upcoming fixtures, stating that the difference between winning and losing often comes down to small margins. He urged the players to play fearlessly and express themselves, trusting in the processes established over the last few seasons. The focus for the squad is now entirely on performing effectively in the Allianz Arena against a well-prepared Arsenal side.