The Albany Gazette - Bruised Bayern 'already motivated' for next Champions League tilt

Wednesday's 1-1 draw in Munich meant that PSG qualified 6-5 on aggregate, retaining their one-goal lead from the wild first leg in Paris and setting up a showdown with Arsenal in Budapest.

Kompany said after the match that his disappointment would not last long and that he was planning for another crack at the tournament.

"I'm already motivated for next season. I know how hard it is to win this prize and I know how much depends on details," said the 40-year-old.

"I'm convinced we'll take another step next season."

And the relative coaching novice -- who is in only his second season at the German giants -- vowed to stick to his principles and "attack again" in the competition next season.

Kompany has overcome setbacks before.

Two years ago, he was relegated from the Premier League with Burnley, but moved straight into the Munich cauldron.

Since then, the former Manchester City captain has built a brilliant team while managing to navigate the club's tumultuous politics -- an achievement which eluded both Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann during their time at Saebener Strasse.

- 'The right path' -

In Munich on Wednesday, Ousmane Dembele scored 140 seconds after kick-off and PSG dug deep, showing defensive grit to match their celebrated attacking flair.

Harry Kane levelled things up deep into stoppage time but Bayern had left their comeback too late.

That goal meant that Bayern have lost just three of 52 games this campaign. Two of those have come away from home against each of the Champions League finalists.

And although they have not reached the final this time, Joshua Kimmich, who was part of Bayern's treble win in 2020 and is one of six squad members to have won the Champions League, told reporters that this was the best version of Bayern he had seen.

"Sitting there in the dressing room, I have the feeling that it is still possible to win the Champions League with this team -- just not this season," he said.

"This is the strongest season we've played to date, stronger than previous seasons, even better than the treble season," he added.

"We are on the right path."

- Win now -

The summer signing of winger Luis Diaz, then aged 28, for a reported 70 million euros ($82 million) was a clear sign that Bayern are in a 'win now' mode.

With striker Harry Kane, who arrived aged 30 for a club record 100 million euros, turning 33 in July, and veteran captain Manuel Neuer already 40, there is a perception that the clock is ticking for Bayern.

But Kimmich, 31, was the only other starter from Wednesday's match on the wrong side of 30.

Bayern remain primed to challenge on the European stage again next season.

The Bavarian giants have already sealed back-to-back Bundesliga titles and are odds-on for their first German Cup triumph in six years.

But, like PSG, they are truly judged on Champions League victories.

Kane also knows that Champions League success is the key to being considered amongst the modern playing elite.

In three years at Bayern, he has reached the semi-finals twice and quarter-finals the other time.

The England captain's only Champions League final appearance came in 2019 with Tottenham, in a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Speaking after the game, he said Bayern should not be judged on one result.

"It's been a very strong season. In the Champions League it can come down to fine margins," he said.

"We had the dream of winning all the trophies. We're good enough to be able to do that. That's why it hurts in this moment.

"But we can't be judged on one game. We had a fantastic season so far. We can be proud of what we've achieved so far."

(W.Walker--TAG)