MADRID – Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany hailed goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after his team secured a 2-1 Champions League quarter-final, first leg win at Real Madrid on April 7.

Luis Diaz and Harry Kane’s goals gave the Bundesliga leaders a strong lead on a dominant display but Kylian Mbappe pulled one back for Real, with Neuer making a string of impressive saves to keep the record 15-time winners at bay.

The veteran stopper thwarted the competition’s top goalscorer Mbappe on several occasions and was named Man of the Match.

“If he was the best player, then I’m also happy with that, it’s not a problem,” Kompany told reporters. “I think you need special performances always at this level in these type of games.

“I think today we had also some chances to score more goals, so let’s hope we continue this form next week, and let’s hope that our strikers are the best players next week.”

Real defender Antonio Rudiger added: “Both goals we conceded were gifts. Both sides had plenty of chances but Bayern’s best player today was Neuer.”

Kompany praised two-time Champions League and 12-time Bundesliga winner Neuer’s longevity.

“Manu is one of the very few – he’s not just able to do it for a very long time, but for a very, very long time,” said the Belgian coach.

“To still perform like he does now, I think that is something that not many goalkeepers, even the top ones, are able to do.”

Kompany said that despite Mbappe’s goal in the 74th minute, he was happy with his team’s win ahead of the second leg on April 15.

“We’re happy with the result. It’s a win, and any win in the Bernabeu in Madrid is an important result,” added Kompany.

“It’s something that we can build on. And then we play at home the next game, so I ...