Kompany explains rare start for Tel amid exit links

Mathys Tel's future has been the subject of much speculation after it was reported on Tuesday that he has decided to leave Bayern Munich before the end of the winter transfer window.

It was therefore all the more surprising that Bayern coach Vincent Kompany decided to give the Frenchman a rare start in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava.

Speaking to DAZN ahead of the game, the Belgian coach insisted his decision had nothing to do with the speculation surrounding Tel's future.

"These are stories from outside the club. It has nothing to do with my job. Whoever deserves to play will play. I have no ulterior motives," said Kompany.

“He's just earned it. It's important that we have players in attack who can score goals. We have a lot of players who can do that, but Mathys deserved it today.”