Kompany praises 'special' Neuer display in win at Real Madrid

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany hailed goalkeeper
Manuel Neuer after his team secured a 2-1 Champions League quarter-final first
leg win at Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Luis Diaz and Harry Kane's goals gave the Bundesliga
leaders a strong lead on a dominant display but Kylian Mbappe pulled one back
for Madrid, with Neuer making a string of impressive saves to keep the record
15-time winners at bay.
The veteran stopper thwarted the competition's top
goalscorer Mbappe on several occasions and was named man of the match.
"If he was the best player, then I'm also happy
with that, it's not a problem," Kompany told reporters.
"I think you need special performances always at
this level in these type of games.
"I think today we had also some chances to score
more goals, so let's hope we continue this form next week, and let's hope that
our strikers are the best players next week."
Kompany praised two-time Champions League and 12-time
Bundesliga winner Neuer's longevity.
"Manu is one of the very few -- he's not just
able to do it for a very long time, but for a very, very long time," said
the Belgian coach.
"To still perform like he does now, I think that
is something that not many goalkeepers, even the top ones, are able to
do."
Kompany said that despite Mbappe's goal in the 74th
minute, he was happy with his team's win ahead of the second leg next
Wednesday.
"We're happy with the result. It's a win, and any
win in the Bernabeu in Madrid is an important result," added Kompany.
"It's something that we can build on. And then we
play at home the next game, so I think, of course, we have respect for the
quality of Real Madrid...
"It's normal that they create some moments as
well, they were incredibly dangerous at times. But most importantly, we stayed
really dangerous as well, so the idea is when we go and play the next game at
home, to try and go and win the game."
Bayern's match-winner Kane scored his 49th goal of a
superb season and was pleased with the win, but warned his team to stay on
their toes in the second leg.
"I thought we played some really good stuff
today," Kane told Amazon Prime.
"We're in a good position but as always, it's a
one-goal lead and that can change quickly. We'll try to perform as we did
today."
- 'If any team can do it' -
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa backed his team to
mount a comeback in Munich.
"I think it's a defeat that maybe, with a bit
more luck in the second half, we could have avoided," said the Spaniard.
"We scored a goal that gave us hope -- the pity
is we weren't able to put away any more of the chances we had.
"It's not going to be easy, but if any team can
win in Munich, it's Real Madrid."
Jude Bellingham impressed as a second half substitute
for Madrid, as he continues to find fitness after a hamstring injury, and
Arbeloa highlighted the England international's contribution.
"We've talked a lot about how his return to the
team should be, about getting back to his best level, and I think doing it
progressively is just logical to me," said the coach.
"It's true he gave us a huge amount, because we
need a player like him, who can evade that very aggressive press Bayern put on,
carry the ball, get past opponents.
"And I'm very happy with the energy he showed us,
with what we always talk about -- his character and personality.
"I see him looking much better, and I'm sure in
Munich he's going to help us a lot."
















