Bayern injury crisis not an excuse against Inter, says Kompany

Vincent Kompany said he will not use Bayern Munich's injury crisis as an excuse ahead of facing Inter in their Champions League quarter-final first leg clash. 

Kompany watched on as his side beat Augsburg 3-1 on Friday, a victory that was overshadowed by Jamal Musiala being forced to withdraw from the contest. 

Musiala scored in that win, netting his 45th Bundesliga goal at the age of 22. Before turning 23, only Gerd Muller (79) and Uli Hoesness (59) had scored more for Bayern. 

It only added to Kompany's injury woes, with Bayern already without Manuel Neuer, Hiroki Ito, Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano and Kingsley Coman. 

"What can I say: We have entered a difficult situation. But we are in the Champions League, and we have to look forward, not backwards," Kompany told reporters.

"The available players will give their best. Those who will go on the field have always trained at the top and will make their contribution.

"I have faith in these players, I don't want to complain, and I don't want to change our goals or my strategies.

"Those who play are 100%, and it means that they have my trust."

This will be the 10th meeting between Bayern and Inter in European competition, with the German side winning five of the previous nine (D1 L3). 

Bayern are also unbeaten in their last 22 home matches in the UEFA Champions League (W17 D5), last losing at home to Paris Saint-Germain in April 2021. 

The Opta supercomputer sees Inter come through the tie as a whole, with the Serie A leaders reaching the final four in 51% of the pre-match simulations. 

But when asked about team selection news, Kompany gave little away when asked if the departing Thomas Muller would replace Musiala in midfield. 

"I don't want to give too much information, we have already played without Jamal in a couple of games," Kompany added. 

"We're not at the beginning of the season, but almost at the end, you can look back and see the creative solutions we have adopted to replace him.

"I have to see what we need for tomorrow's game. It's difficult to replace a talent like Musiala, but we also want other players in the squad to show their qualities."

Muller announced on Saturday that he would leave Bayern at the end of the season, ending a 25-year association with the club. 

He has delivered 221 assists for Bayern in all competitions since his debut in 2008-09, more than any other current top five European league player over that time.

Muller has also played the most competitive games (743) for Bayern, while also winning the Bundesliga title 12 times, more than any other player. 

"The most important thing is the preparation for the match against Inter. This decision must be respected," Kompany said.

"The career of a legend like him is so great, and you have to show respect. It's a big theme, but in the end, my role is to prepare us for the next game."

Kompany batted away one final question on whether Mueller would feature in the game against Inter.

"No, I would say that's enough. Let's sleep and see who will be in the starting line-up tomorrow," the manager said.