Boss in the CL semi-finals
©IMAGO
Everything follows his command: The Englishman Aaron Danks has to take on an unusual leading role in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern Munich on Tuesday (9 p.m./Prime Video). Vincent Kompany’s 42-year-old assistant is supposed to represent the head coach, who was suspended after three yellow cards, on the sidelines of the Prinzenpark Stadium.
“Of course we will miss him on the sidelines,” said striker Harry Kane about the premiere without Kompany, which the Munich team has to overcome. “He’s our leader, he’s our boss.” Kompany is allowed to prepare the Bayern team for the game in terms of tactics and personnel as usual, but then no longer looks after them after they arrive at the stadium. He’s not allowed in the cabin.
At the final training session on the club premises before the flight to Paris on Monday, Kompany, with a red cap on his head, mainly took on the role of observer as usual. He spoke briefly with Danks, who, with a black whistle around his neck, then energetically gave commands and led the exercises. What was striking was how Danks high-fived the Bayern professionals.
The youngsters Lennart Karl and Tom Bischof are not yet a personnel option for the semi-final first leg. After their muscle injuries, they are not yet back in team training. Serge Gnabry and Raphaël Guerreiro are also out. The latter suffered a muscle injury in Bayern’s 4-3 defeat in Mainz on Saturday and is not available for the time being.
FC Bayern: Assistant coach Aaron Danks responsible for standards
In the Prinzenpark, Danks will, among other things, have to make the appropriate changes during the game. The Englishman came to Munich with Kompany in the summer of 2024; they had previously worked together at RSC Anderlecht in 2021. The Belgian praised 2024 shortly after moving to Säbener Straße: “He was very successful with many young players who have now played at the European Championships. Since he was an assistant coach in professional football, he has been outstanding.”
Danks is usually particularly noticeable in games when there are corners or free kicks for the Munich team or for the respective opponent. Then Danks stands on the sidelines and gives signals. Among other things, he is responsible for standard situations in Kompany’s coaching staff.
Bayern’s sports director Christoph Freund spoke of “a new situation” that would have to be dealt with without Kompany in Paris. “But we will face this challenge and manage it as a team,” said Freund. The coaching team around Kompany is “well coordinated”.
Danks has to deliver under great pressure. And Kompany? The Belgian is likely to be more excited and restless than usual in the unfamiliar role of spectator in the stands. “It will be difficult for him,” believes Kane. Kompany will be allowed to take his usual place on the sidelines again in the decisive second leg on Wednesday next week in Munich.
