Kompany Sets Neuer, Goretzka Starts for Bayern – Cologne
Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka will start in bayern – cologne, giving Bayern Munich a familiar spine for its final Bundesliga match of the season. Vincent Kompany also said the game will be played with energy and concentration as the club closes out the league campaign at Allianz Arena.
Kompany Keeps Neuer In
Kompany said, “Manu will start. But Jonas will have many other chances to start against Köln [his home club] in the future,” which settles Bayern’s goalkeeping plan for Sunday. Jonas Urbig remains part of the conversation, but the coach chose Neuer for this one.
The choice comes in a match Bayern are treating as business first. Kompany said, “They are very strong on the counter and also an emotional club that brings a lot of fans. We won’t forget that and we want to have a positive experience, which requires energy and concentration. We will approach this task like any other and do everything to win the game,” tying the lineup call to the opponent’s profile rather than sentiment.
Goretzka Earns The Start
Goretzka will also start against FC Köln, and Kompany was explicit about why. “Leon Goretzka will start tomorrow. But it’s not a gift [because it’s his last game at Allianz Arena]. He deserved it for his performances and what he experienced with the team over the years,” the coach said.
That places the midfielder in the center of Bayern’s final home league day, not as a farewell token but as a selection based on form and involvement over time. With the match billed as the club’s last Bundesliga game of the season, the start carries more weight because it comes in the same setting where Bayern plan to mark departures before kickoff.
Allianz Arena Farewells
Bild reported that Bayern will bid farewell to Goretzka, Raphaël Guerreiro and Nicolas Jackson before the game, with flowers and a collage to be presented before kickoff in front of 75,000 fans at Allianz Arena. That creates a split focus: Bayern still want the win, but the stadium will also spend part of the night honoring players on the way out.
Kompany said every season begins with the hope of lifting the trophy again and added, “It’s also always nice to have family there, everyone who has supported us throughout the season. So I’m really looking forward to the weekend,” a reminder that this finale carries both football and ceremony. Bayern now go into Sunday with Neuer in goal, Goretzka in midfield, and a home crowd expecting the season to end on a positive note.
