Vincent Kompany on Goretzka: A role model for the whole team

It was already dark in Fröttmaning when many journalists were still waiting for the man of the match, but Leon Goretzka was on his way home then. He let the goals speak for themselves at the Allianz Arena on an icy Saturday. He turned in a strong display next to Joshua Kimmich in defensive midfield and scored two goals, bagging his third Bundesliga brace. The 29-year-old had netted twice in the 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim in January 2019 and in the 8-1 thrashing of Mainz in March 2024.

Neuer: We supported him

For a long time it did not look like Goretzka would play a central role under new coach Vincent Kompany, with the media speculating about his future at FC Bayern again and again. "We supported him and knew his time would come," captain Manuel Neuer commented: "He has always given it everything, and this is the reward." Board member for sport Max Eberl shared Neuer's view: "The way he works in training and delivers when he's out on the pitch is commendable. Today he rewarded himself with two goals." Goretzka is "an important player for us", said Eberl: the versatile Bochum native played in defensive midfield when Aleksandar Pavlović and João Palhinha were sidelined with injuries. Against Hoffenheim he even helped out at centre-back in the closing stages against Hoffenheim and turned in a flawless display. "He gives us opportunities to act and react on the pitch," according to Eberl.

A low drive followed by a header

Goretzka opened the scoring with a low drive from 25 yards before heading home Michael Olise's cross after the hour mark. The French provider had restored Bayern's lead late in the first half, the ball squirming through the hands of keeper Kamil Grabara. After levelling the scores midway through the first half, Mohammed Amoura made it 3-2 in the closing stages and things got exciting again despite Bayern's dominant display.

Coach Vincent Kompany was still pleased after taking nine points within a week, praising the match-winner against Wolfsburg: "Leon's development is good for the team. There are other lads who're in a phase that's not so good. Leon has always worked hard, he's always been hungry in training. It's a good thing for Leon and the other lads." The Belgian emphasised with regard to the waiting journalists: "Leon showed the right reaction: with his feet, not with words."

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