Vincent Kompany has been an oddity of a player whose career has defied the odds. The other day, he fired back at those who said the job of managing Bayern Munich might turn out to be too big for him. It was a resilient shot back from him, full of self-belief.
Born in Brussels to a Congolese refugee father, Kompany reflected on his journey from facing near insurmountable odds to achieve success as a player and coach. From unlikely beginnings to lifting trophies in the Premier League and taking Burnley to the top of the Championship, Kompany's career trajectory cuts out the making of a talent that believes in pushing beyond the boundaries even when many outside doubt him.
He hammered home that confidence in one's self was never to be dictated by the opinions of another. The winning mentality for Kompany -- who accepts one may fail but goes for it anyway -- is very important. He carries this continuous improvement mindset into his coaching career.
This is a setting of online criticism that Kompany dismisses and instead chooses to focus on his objectives and the good sides of his job. That mentality informs a broader lesson on dealing with criticism and staying true to one's path despite external pressures.
Harry Kane stole the headlines with an astonishing four-goal display as Bayern Munich produced a stunning 9-2 demolition of Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League to set a new record by an English player in the competition.
Bayern were dominant from the off, and Kane continued his incredible form with an early penalty, before Raphael Guerreiro and Michael Olise completed the first-half goals. Dinamo then briefly threatened a comeback through Bruno Petkovic and Takuya Ogiwara, before Bayern regained control, as Kane netted two further penalties.
Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka added further goals, rounding out the historic night for Bayern, while Goretzka's goal marked his return to form despite playing limited time this season.
Kane's effort also made him the first to score a hat-trick of penalties in a Champions League match, while Bayern's nine-goal haul was also a record in the competition.