Vincent Kompany still ill: Bayern coach misses training and press conference on eve of Arsenal clash

Bayern Munich trained on Tuesday without their head coach, on the eve of hosting Arsenal in the Champions League. Still ill, Vincent Kompany stayed at home on the club’s advice, and his assistant Aaron Danks sat in for him at the pre-match press conference. The Belgian is dealing with a virus that “has affected his legs at times”, Danks explained to ESPN.

The staff are going day by day. “The most important thing we’ve just encouraged is that he rests, he takes the time he needs”, Danks added, admitting that “getting Vince to rest is a challenge”. Kompany could be back as early as Wednesday evening or in two or three days, depending on the doctors. Whether he sits on the bench at kick-off remains undecided.

A virus, and perhaps a bit more

German reports describe a hip problem aggravated by the infection, and sporting director Max Eberl had himself linked the virus to hip pain. Danks brushed that aside at the Guardian: “I’m not sure about the reports about him lying down on the couch. I think we can all have a lie down on the couch after a game. It’s just a virus.”

Danks knows the job

If Kompany has not recovered, Danks will take the team on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena. He has done it before, in last season’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain, when Kompany was suspended, and he would stay in touch with him “in some shape or form” from the touchline.