Kompany says Bayern will not abandon attacking approach against PSG

BERLIN: Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has said his side will continue with its aggressive style in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against holders Paris Saint-Germain, despite criticism over Bayern's defensive frailties.

PSG take a one-goal lead into the return match after last week's 5-4 first-leg victory in Paris, a game in which both teams' attacking players were given significant freedom and which was widely praised as a standout contest.

Bayern's approach under Kompany has drawn scrutiny because of the number of goals the team has conceded, but the Belgian coach has made clear he does not intend to alter the formula as the six-time European champions try to reach the final in Budapest.

Bayern balancing attacking strength and defensive risk

Already crowned Bundesliga champions, Bayern have scored 116 goals in 32 league matches, a record in the competition and one of the strongest returns in Europe. At the same time, the team has shown vulnerability at the back.

The Bavarians have let in 16 goals across their last six matches and have managed only one clean sheet in that stretch. However, they have also scored 21 times in those six games, underlining the attacking threat that has defined their campaign.

Kompany, who was suspended for the first leg and watched from the stands, said he believed there were areas where Bayern could improve, but he rejected the idea of making a fundamental change to the team's identity.

"I'm not the kind of person who sees things in black or white. For me, what happened in Paris is perfectly logical,"Kompany said on Friday. "I also would be glad to keep a clean sheet, but what we absolutely cannot do is lose what made us strong."

Comeback ability has kept Bayern alive

The same approach has helped Bayern in earlier rounds of the competition. In the quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, a mistake by Manuel Neuer allowed Arda Guler to score after just 36 seconds.

Real Madrid went ahead three times during that match, but Bayern responded on each occasion before sealing qualification with two goals in the final five minutes.

In the first leg against PSG, the French side appeared to have taken firm control when they scored twice in three second-half minutes. Even so, Bayern remained in contention, and Kompany's comments indicate they will again look to attack rather than retreat in the decisive leg.

The semi-final now heads to its second chapter with Bayern seeking to overturn the deficit while staying faithful to the style that has brought them domestic success and carried them deep into Europe.