Bayern coach ‘not in the mood’ for question about Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz

Bayern coach ‘not in the mood’ for question about Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz
Bayern Munich’s 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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Updated 04 March 2025

Bayern coach ‘not in the mood’ for question about Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz

Bayern coach ‘not in the mood’ for question about Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz
  • “I’m talking but it’s easier to say nothing. I’m trying to be respectful, but guys, other questions!” 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.
“You’ve obviously noticed I’m not in the mood to answer,” Kompany said Tuesday.
“From each other, I don’t know,” 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.
“I’m talking but it’s easier to say nothing. I’m trying to be respectful, but guys, other questions!” Kompany said in the press conference before the first leg of the teams’ last 16 tie.
“It’s a good question,” he continued. “I would perhaps have asked it in your position, but still, perhaps you’d feel the same if you were sitting in my seat.”
Wirtz has been consistently linked with a move to Bayern, the speculation fueled by comments from Bayern powerbroker Uli Hoeneß saying he would like to see the 21-year-old attacking midfielder play for the Bavarian powerhouse one day.
Kompany said midfielder Aleksandar Pavlović was sick and will miss the game.
Bayern haven’t beaten Leverkusen in three attempts so far this season. The teams most recently drew 0-0 in Leverkusen in the Bundesliga — 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’ve played since their former player Xabi Alonso took over as Leverkusen coach in October 2022.


Alvarenga faces Sousa in headline bout at 11th Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship

Alvarenga faces Sousa in headline bout at 11th Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship
Updated 27 sec ago

Alvarenga faces Sousa in headline bout at 11th Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship

Alvarenga faces Sousa in headline bout at 11th Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship
  • Competition features stacked card in Al-Ain on Nov. 14

AL-AIN: A stacked fight card has been set up for the 11th Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship at the ADNEC Centre in Al-Ain on Nov. 14, the organizers announced recently.

In a release, International Vision Sports Management said the main event features Brazilians Gabriel Sousa and Ruan Alvarenga, with Helena Crevar taking on Salla Simola in the co-main event.

Sousa returns to the ADXC cage after submitting Anthony de Oliveira in the ADXC 9 Grappling Main Event, where he called out Alvarenga moments after his win.

Alvarenga, a four-time ADXC veteran with three victories, also featured in ADXC 9, defeating Yigit Hanay in the final bout of the preliminary card.

Crevar returns in search of her second consecutive ADXC win following her dominant showing at ADXC 7, where she submitted Sabrina de Sousa in the second round.

Her opponent, Simola, impressed fans with a resilient victory over Aurelie Le Vern at ADXC 9, demonstrating agility and composure under pressure.

The main card also features a showcase bout between Daniel Barbosa and Haibula Aviev, along with a grappling welterweight fight between Seilkhan Bolatbek and Kenzo Biyong.

The preliminary card promises plenty of action, including Obaid Al-Ketbi against Victor Souza in a jiu-jitsu bantamweight bout, and Hadi Abbas taking on Felipe Fernandes in a jiu-jitsu featherweight contest.

Also, Mohammed Saeed Al-Ketbi meets Brazil’s Raimundo Almeida in a bantamweight contest.

On the prelims card there is a showcase bout between Ghanim Al-Ali and Joao Arthur; a jiu-jitsu cruiserweight fight between Ammar Al-Hosani and Dabyl Abdulla; and a showcase featuring Arthur De Lima Sousa and Breno Pittizer.

Tareq Al-Bahri, general manager of International Vision Investment, said: “We have put together one of the strongest cards yet, bringing together some of the most talented and skilled athletes from the region and around the world to deliver a show that meets the expectations of our fans.

“We are proud to see Abu Dhabi Extreme continue to strengthen its reputation as a global platform that attracts the brightest stars in jiu-jitsu and grappling.”

All bouts will be streamed live on TX7 and broadcast on the Abu Dhabi Sports Channel.