After the 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany has defended Brazilian striker Vinícius Júnior, who has often been criticized for his style of play and approach on the pitch.
At the press conference after the match, the Belgian coach underlined that players with unique character and style are an asset to football, writes "Gazeta Express".
"Vinicius must continue to be himself. He has my full support, even if he is an opponent. Players like Ribéry are needed in football," said Kompany, highlighting the importance of personalities who emerge from the classic scheme of the game.
The coach also added that it is normal for every fan or critic to have their own opinion, but he asked for balance and respect in comments about the players.
"Everyone can have their opinion, but without crossing a line. I respect Vinicius, regardless of the result," Kompany continued, emphasizing the human dimension over mere tactics or the result of the match.
His comments come at a time when Vinícius has often been the subject of intense discussion about his on-field behavior, including debates about his goal celebrations and interactions with opponents.
However, the Bayern coach sees his strong character as valuable and not problematic for football.
Kompany has occasionally shown a more inclusive approach to the debate about players with strong personalities, giving space to the emotional dimension of the sport — an approach he has also expressed several times before in defense of Vinícius in broader issues, such as the debate about racism in football. /Express newspaper
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