Vincent Kompany has plenty of respect for Martín Demichelis ahead of Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga meeting with RB Leipzig, praising the Argentine coach’s achievements and the progress he has made in management.

The two share a connection from their time at Manchester City, and Kompany has clearly kept an eye on Demichelis’s coaching career. From winning the league in Argentina to impressing against Real Madrid with Mallorca, the Leipzig boss has already demonstrated that he can make his teams competitive against top opposition.

“He won the title in Argentina, which isn’t easy. I’d seen games with his Mallorca side when we were preparing for Real Madrid and they beat Real. The substance was good. Leipzig are a stable team, a stable club. If you’re consistent in your work, eventually you’ll make a breakthrough in Europe as well. But tomorrow we’re opponents,” Kompany said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).

Kompany’s comments reflect his belief that consistency and a strong foundation can help clubs take the next step in European competition. He also acknowledged the stability at RB Leipzig, a team that has made changes but appears to be benefiting from its recent work.

However, the mutual respect will only go so far on Saturday. Demichelis, who was a coach in Bayern Munich’s system from 2019-2022, is returning to the Allianz Arena with a point to prove, while Kompany wants Bayern Munich to respond to their frustrating draw against Viking with a convincing performance at home.

The reunion between the former Manchester City teammates adds another storyline to an already intriguing Bundesliga matchup. Once the whistle blows, though, Kompany will be focused on making sure Bayern come out on top.