Demichelis and Kompany: from teammates to rivals in the Bundesliga

Demichelis and Kompany: from teammates to rivals in the Bundesliga October 16, 2026 On their day, they formed one of the most outstanding defensive partnerships in English football. They shared a dressing room, responsibilities on the pitch, and together conquered titles. More than a decade later, Martín Demichelis, coach of RB Leipzig, and Vincent Kompany, manager of Bayern Munich, meet again, from opposite benches, but with the same goal: to prevail in the star match of the sixth round of the Bundesliga. The partnership formed in Manchester It began the 2013/14 season when Demichelis arrived at Manchester City with Manuel Pellegrini, after a brief spell at Atlético de Madrid and almost three seasons at Málaga in the Spanish league. His adaptation to English football was not easy, but the Chilean coach ended up finding the ideal complement for Vincent Kompany, then captain and defensive reference of the English side, in the Argentine. Both were starters as a central pairing in 20 Premier League matches that season, with 15 wins, four draws, and one loss, according to statistics published by the British broadcaster BBC. A solidity that contributed to winning the English championship and left a professional relationship that Demichelis still remembers. "I played three years with Vincent and we had a good relationship. It was then that it was clear he was a leader," he told Sky Sport last August, before facing Bayern in the Telekom Cup friendly. In addition to that Premier League, both won two League Cups, in 2014 and 2016. In total, they shared the pitch in 54 official matches, according to Transfermarkt records. An association that ended up becoming one of the defensive references of City during that period. A special story with Bayern Beyond their bond with Kompany, Demichelis maintains a close relationship with Bayern Munich. The motto "Mia san mia," deeply rooted in Bavarian identity, retains a special connotation for the Argentine, who considers the capital of Bavaria his second home. "Phrases like 'Mia san mia' mean a lot to me, and that is why coming to the Allianz Arena is special," he explained to Sport Bild. "I lived in Munich for twelve years. It is my second home. Bayern gave me an opportunity when I was young and grew up there," he added. The Argentine wore the Bayern shirt between 2003 and the end of 2010, after training and debuting professionally at River Plate. During his time as a footballer in Germany, he won four Bundesliga titles and other German Cups, as well as playing in the Champions League final of 2010. His relationship with the club did not end with his departure. In 2019 he returned to work in the youth teams and later took over the management of the reserve team. Later, he continued as a coach in Argentina with River Plate, in Mexico with CF Monterrey, and finally in Spain with RCD Mallorca, before returning to the Bundesliga. After Ole Werner's dismissal -despite finishing third in the 2025/26 season- Leipzig opted for the Argentine. "Not long before I renewed my contract with Mallorca, but then an enormous opportunity presented itself to me in an unexpected way," Demichelis explained during pre-season. "As a player, I lived a great period in Germany. Now is the time to show what I am capable of doing as a coach," he assured. He also highlighted his affinity for German culture and his way of understanding the game: "I love discipline and being demanding without losing closeness," he said. Two ideas from the bench Like other great defensive pairs in European football, from Ferdinand and Vidic at Manchester United to Hummels and Subotić at Borussia Dortmund, Demichelis and Kompany found in complementarity one of the keys to their success. Manchester City won their second Premier League in three seasons with them, after the historic title of 2012, decided by the famous goal of Sergio "Kun" Agüero against Queens Park Rangers, which ended 44 years without winning the English league. Since then, their paths have followed different ways, but now they converge in the Bundesliga with two teams and the same defensive demand. Kompany has built a dominant Bayern through possession, pressing high, and occupying interior spaces. Harry Kane participates both in finishing and in creation, while Michael Olise and Luis Díaz bring depth and imbalance from the wings. Demichelis, for his part, has started with ups and downs his project at RB Leipzig, although two recent victories -the overwhelming triumph against Eintracht Frankfurt and the first Champions League victory against PSV Eindhoven-support him for Saturday's match in Munich, showing an aggressive game in recovery, speed in transitions, and the ability to control the ball. "Pressure is very important, but I also love having the ball," he explained to Sport Bild. A philosophy that combines intensity and possession for a team that is still seeking regularity and to climb the standings. Don't let the algorithm hide the news. If you trust this site for reliable information, please take a moment to select us as your preferred source on Google: click here and check the box or press the DW.com button to always see our verified news according to your preferences. (elm)