Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany was waylaid this week by a viral infection with symptoms bothersome enough that it even affected his ability to move around on the sidelines in last weekend’s match against RB Leipzig.
The Bavarians romped all over the Red Bull club, 6-1, but Kompany cut a subdued figure as he dealt with the effects of whatever virus he had contracted, which aggravated an old hip injury. It was bad enough that there were reports surfacing about Bayern’s contingency plans—with assistant Aaron Danks taking charge as sideline gesticulator-in-chief should Kompany be a no-go for this week’s hotly anticipated Champions League clash against Premier League champion Arsenal.
Thankfully, Kompany recovered in time to prowl the sidelines himself on Wednesday, and was even able to jump up and gesture at the officials following a questionable call or two. The contest, a high-quality affair with scintillating moments of brilliance from both sides, ended in a 2-2 draw.
“I’m doing better,” Kompany shared at his post-match press conference (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “It’s a normal human thing. As a coach, you want to do everything by yourself. I didn’t listen to my body, and at some point my body told me: ‘Stop now, man!’ …that was it.
“Now I’m feeling better, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
PSA aside: it is respiratory virus season after all, and all sorts of nasties are floating around. It’s not too late to go get your flu and other shots—for yourself and the community!
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