Bayern Munich were at their dominant best against Chelsea in their 3-1 win in the Champions League clash on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena.
However, the midweek clash is now history as the Bavarians have shifted their focus on Bundesliga fixture against Hoffenheim on Sunday, September 20 in Sinsheim.
Ahead of the Hoffenheim trip, Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany is content with the performances of his players, but he singled out veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for his continued consistency.
The 39-year-old became the fourth player to register 100 Champions League victories with the win over Chelsea. The German goalkeeper is now in elite company as he joins the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo (115), Thomas Muller (111) and Iker Casillas (101).
Therefore, even Kompany praised his performances and also shared how the veteran goalkeeper is in that stage of his career where he doesn't feel any pressure.
"I see what Manu brings to training and in games – his performances are outstanding. For a long time, I only knew Manu as an opponent, but since we've been working together, his level has improved almost every week. He's already achieved everything in his career. Therefore, it's important to me that he enjoys the games," Kompany told the reporters at the press conference.
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What did Kompany say about Neuer feeling no pressure at this stage of his career?
With his appearance against Chelsea, Neuer became Bayern Munich's oldest player to feature in the Champions League at the age of 39 years and 174 days, surpassing Lothar Matthaus.
Despite his age, there's a lot of hunger in him to achieve great things with the Bavarians and therefore Kompany is certain that Neuer is at complete ease at this stage of his career.
"There are phases in your career when you don't feel any pressure. At the very beginning, Lennart Karl, he has no pressure; he's a young player. And when you've achieved everything like Manu, then it's back to normal – no one can take the titles away from you anymore, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. Even though his mentality is certainly different, he'll see it differently; he still wants to prove everything to everyone. It's a mixture of focus and total ease.
"I felt that at the end of my career, too. As a young player, you're in full throttle mode; as you get older, you go with the flow of the game more and make decisions at the right moments. He's in that phase of his career now."
Apart from delivering some exceptional performances for Bayern Munich this season, Neuer is also grooming young German goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, who is expected to take up the mantle from the 39-year-old in Bavaria once he decides to hang his boots.
Considering Neuer's current form, he is expected to start in Bayern Munich's upcoming Bundesliga outing against Hoffenheim.
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