Hupa: I will no longer lose concentration during the game, Kompany taught us how to defend better

Bayern central defender Upamecano accepted an exclusive interview with the French media "L'Equipe" and talked about the progress he has made under Kompany.

Deschamps praised you as one of the top defenders in the world. Is he right?

Whether it is or not, I have always strived to be the best, and I especially want to be a role model. Looking back, I know I was among the top, just like Saliba and Konat, or Jonathan Tat and Kim Min-jae, they were my competitors and I loved the competition. But I also know that I still have a lot to learn and improve, and I always maintain a humble attitude.

What impact did working with coaches like Rangnick, Nagelsmann and Kompany have on you?

They all played an important role in my current success. I came to Germany at a very young age (joined Leipzig at the age of 18), and Rangnick gave me the necessary confidence to gain a foothold in a foreign country. Nagelsmann gave me more freedom in my game and allowed me to move the ball forward, which was something I already had, but he helped me develop it further. As for Kompany, I can feel that he has played in my position and sometimes he will come to me alone and show me video clips in the office and tell me what I can do better.

To become the defensive champion you are today, what shortcomings have you corrected?

I worked hard to overcome a lot of problems, thanks to a great coach (Kompany) who gave me a lot of guidance right from the start. He helped me improve my positioning and told me not to be afraid of pressing high, even very high, like we did against PSG, and I loved that. I was given similar instructions back in 2017 when I was working with Rangnick at Leipzig, and now it's more in-depth, which is really great because I'm a player who likes to run.

What request did Deschamps make of you?

He told me to control my emotions and aggression when I first debuted. He often communicated with me and helped me. I am very grateful to him and I am willing to fight for him.

Do you still have trouble concentrating?

Nowadays, I am more mature in the game. As a centre-back, I need to try to direct my teammates more. The lack of concentration I had in the past is a thing of the past and I feel like I have better control over my emotions and you can see that change every game. Sometimes some confrontations are not worth fighting for, why take the risk? I might get a yellow card, so I tried to calm down.

You have been criticized for being too cautious. Are you now able to speak out?

Of course! I'm even surprised by this question, as to the outside world people may think I'm introverted and don't talk much, which may have something to do with me talking openly about my stuttering. But everyone who knows me knows that I can speak. In a team like Bayern, it is impossible not to speak! (Speaking faster) Otherwise, my teammates will say: "You are a central defender, and you can't even say 'Here comes the ball'?" Kimmich will tell me directly that I will correct when I need to correct, and I will speak when I need to speak, especially when there are difficulties. Of course, this impression is also related to my poor performance in front of the camera.

Have you become stronger in the confrontation?

Yes, of course, I feel stronger in the confrontation. A lot of things have changed since Kompany came, he showed us a better way to defend, and when you see a striker like Kane still involved in the defense in the 87th minute, you think: "Wow!"

How does it feel when you win a confrontation with a striker?

Just like a forward scoring goals, I like defense and this kind of one-on-one confrontation. I will never refuse any opportunity for a duel. Whether I face Olise in a game or in training, he always challenges me and says, "You, I will pass you ten times in ten one-on-ones!" But when I said that I didn't want him to pass me and started to use physical confrontation, he would be a little scared (laughing). I really enjoy this confrontation.

Has Kane contributed to your progress?

He is a player who devotes 100% in training, and so do I. You can feel that he is always eager to score goals, and his physical confrontation forces you to improve your defensive quality, which also prompts you to improve. When I face him, I think: "Kane might get past me in a game, but not in training!" (Laughs)

Do you have any mental tips for winning one-on-one?

No, I try not to talk too much to my opponent and stay focused during the game. I want to be focused from the first minute to the last minute.

Are there opponents trying to distract you?

Of course! Many people will do this, and some will even be rude to see if you will be fooled and lose focus on the game.