The Prague Post - Buoyant Bayern pledge to 'push through the pain' against Real

Bayern beat Real 2-1 in the first leg in Madrid and need to avoid defeat at home on Wednesday to reach the final four.

Kompany told reporters that Bayern's desire against the 15-time European champions would be key.

"It depends on many things. In games like this, the individual quality of the players is always decisive. But there's also the collective intensity and a readiness to push through the pain barrier," Kompany said.

"Every detail matters in games like this, but for us what's most important is that we're mentally and physically well prepared.

"We're also looking forward to the match and that's something you need, positive emotions."

Bayern dominated much of the match in Madrid but still needed veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to pull off several spectacular saves.

"My feeling after the match was that we could have gone a level higher. And that's pretty good when you win 2-1 at the Bernabeu and think, 'We could have done more'," Kompany added.

"But then you need to show it."

Bayern's Michael Olise starred in the opening leg and Kompany said there were no limits to the France winger's talent.

"For sure he will be one day," Kompany said when asked if Olise was one of the best in the world. "I think now he's on the right path. He's on a level of the best players in Europe at the moment."

The former Manchester City captain has Bayern on track for a Champions League semi-final less than two years after he was relegated from the Premier League with Burnley, in what was his first season managing in the top flight of a major European league.

The 40-year-old said he does not care that he is being hyped as one of football's best new coaches, as he did not listen to criticism during his time at Burnley.

"Don't believe the hype and don't believe the drama, it's what I always say. You can't live feeling you're the worst coach two years ago and you're the best coach today," Kompany said.

"It doesn't work that way. The way you become the worst, is if you let this outside noise affect your day to day."

Kompany also praised Marie-Louise Eta, who on Sunday became the first female coach of a men's team in a top-five European league when she was named Union Berlin boss.

"It's a key moment. It's easy to minimise and say she's just a coach like everybody else -- and of course that's how we have to treat her -- but at the end it's something special," the Belgian said.

"It opens up opportunities to little girls who are now playing football and thinking, 'now, I can coach anywhere, I can make a real career in this game and be successful like what I'm seeing on TV'.

"Those stories, they're really important."

J.Marek--TPP