Bayern's third-choice keeper set for league debut
Vincent Kompany has confirmed that Bayern Munich's third-choice goalkeeper, Jonas Urbig, is in line to make his Bundesliga debut against Bochum this weekend.
Urbig replaced Manuel Neuer in the 58th minute of Bayern's 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg clash in midweek.
The Bayern captain tore his calf muscle after celebrating Jamal Musiala's goal that put Kompany's side 2-0 up in the game.
Daniel Peretz, normally Neuer's back-up in between the sticks, is also sidelined after suffering a kidney contusion in training back in January.
"I assume Manuel will need time until the international break to recover, but we don't know. It could take longer," Kompany said.
"We're pleased there's a break coming up. I think that'll help us. I don't want to put any great pressure on Jonas.
"He's done everything right so far in training and in the matches. That should give him confidence.
"He's got talent and our trust."
Former Cologne player Urbig joined Bayern in January on a four-and-a-half-year contract after loan spells at Jahn Regensburg and Greuther Furth.
Despite Bayern fielding their third-choice keeper this weekend, It will have confidence of continuing its push for the Bundesliga crown this weekend.
It has only lost one of its 37 Bundesliga home games against Bochum, winning 28 of them, with that sole defeat coming in August 1991.
Bayern has also won 7-0 in two of its past three top-flight home matches against this weekend's opponent, Bochum's two heaviest defeats in the Bundesliga.
Kompany's side has won each of its past 10 Bundesliga home games, its best run since the 2018-2019 season under now Borussia Dortmund boss Niko Kovac.
Bayern has scored at least three goals in each of these 10 matches. An 11th straight home game with at least three goals would equal the Bundesliga record, set by Bayern in 1993 under Erich Ribbeck.
It holds an eight-point lead at the top of the standings, but Kompany said a busy fixture list added to Bayern's challenge of retaining the title, with the team playing its third game in the space of seven days.
"We want to be fresh for every game. It's not a choice, but a necessity.
"It's about rotation and freshness," he said.
Kompany, whose Burnley side was relegated from the Premier League last term, said he did not underestimate Bochum, which is 16th in the standings.
"I was in a relegation battle last season. I know how a club in a relegation battle experiences preparation in a week like this," he said.
"You don't go into a game as a small team to see how good Bayern might be. You're focused on every corner, every duel, every ball.
"I know these games are the most dangerous when you go into them thinking it will all just work out.
"Only tomorrow is of interest to us and is our focus at the moment," he added ahead of next week's UEFA Champions League return leg at Leverkusen.
