Bild: The risk of overturning in the German Cup is high, Kompany will continue to rely on his main players to play in Cologne

Bayern will face Cologne in this round of the German Cup. Although Kompany said in a pre-match interview that no one is definitely the main player, "Bild" pointed out that Kompany is not expected to make a major rotation.

On the eve of the focus game against Cologne in the second round of the German Cup, the Bayern coach talked about the formation on Sebena Street on Tuesday morning. The Belgian coach did not remain tight-lipped about the starting list as usual, nor did he name the stars one by one. Instead, he made shocking remarks that shocked the reporters at the scene.

Kompany said: "To be honest, I don't care who plays at all. Players win positions and time through performance. Status and tactics are important, but don't forget that we have a dense schedule. Rotating players at the right time is a reasonable move."

Kompany then talked about the focus on Harry Kane (32 years old) center position - involving Serge Gnabry (30 years old/returning from adductor muscle injury), new aid Nicholas Jackson (24 years old/received 5 points low rating by Bild twice in the league, scored 1 goal against Club Brugge in the Champions League) and super star Lennart Karl (17 years old/2 goals in the last two games).

Kompany explained: "Gnabry had performed well before but suffered injuries. My opinion on Jackson may be different from public opinion. Of course, if he can score two or three goals, no one will doubt it. But in my opinion, Jackson has contributed a lot in this position. And Karl has brought magic: scoring ability and the freedom of a young man."

The coach also expressed his opinion on the "iron-beating main force" "First of all, I will not rashly conclude that all players (Kane, Olise, Dias, etc.) are the main players. I don't like to send this message to the team. The players should also understand: The whole team hopes that Harry will play and perform well, but 'the main players' has no real meaning in the field of football. "

It is certain: Kompany will send the strongest lineup in Cologne. The risk of overturning in away games is too high - a defeat is never acceptable!

The last time Bayern won the German Cup dates back to 2020, but it has been humiliated repeatedly in the German Cup in the past five years: in the second round of the 2020/21 season, it was eliminated by Kiel 7:8 on penalty kicks, and then lost 0:5 to Borussia Monchengladbach.

In December 2024, Manuel Neuer (39 years old) suffered a rib fracture due to a tactical foul when he was red-blooded and left the field against Pharmaceuticals. Therefore, substitute goalkeeper Jonas Urbig (22 years old) was still guarding the goal on Wednesday night - this was his 15th appearance for Bayern, and the opponent was his old club Cologne (joined in January 2025 for a transfer fee of 7 million euros). Sven Ulreich (37 years old) is on standby on the bench.

Kompany hinted that the suspended captain Neuer will not travel with the team to Cologne: "Neuer can make his own decision. But at this moment he needs to prepare fully for Leverkusen - this is his responsibility. Don't forget: there will be a key battle immediately."

Bayern will face Leverkusen in the league on Saturday, and will play in Paris next Tuesday in the Champions League. Neuer will return to the starting lineup. But Bayern's current primary goal is to advance to the last 16 of the German Cup - a key node on the road to the final in Berlin on May 23.

In addition to Neuer, Kompany is also missing Jamal Musiala (22 years old/fibula fracture), Alphonso Davis (24 years old/torn cruciate ligament in right knee) and Hiroyuki Ito (26 years old/third metatarsal fracture).