Nicolas Jackson: Kompany explains limited play time for striker

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has defended his decision to give less playing time to Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson in the Bundesliga.

The on-loan striker from Chelsea, returned to Bayern;s starting lineup in the league for the first time since December 2025, and seized his opportunity perfectly. The Senegalese striker scored one of the goals in the Bavarians’ 4-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday.

JACKSON SCORES TO MAKE IT 4-0! ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/R1FLBZxIud

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) March 6, 2026

Jackson was instrumental in Bayern’s third goal, drawing a red card for Rocco Reitz and winning a penalty which Jamal Musiala converted.

He was ultimately rewarded for his strong performance by scoring the fourth and final goal for the Bundesliga leaders. It was his sixth goal of the season.

Jackson hasn’t done anything wrong

Speaking after the fixture, Kompany told club website: “He played very well today. I have to say that since I arrived, I’ve noticed that when everything is going well in the team, there’s a tendency to single out one or two players for no good reason.

“This player (Jackson) hasn’t done anything wrong, he’s trained extremely well, he won the Africa Cup of Nations. But there are always stories about one or two players. Last season it was Serge Gnabry, sometimes Kingsley Coman, now it’s Nicolas Jackson.”

Kompany added: “The reality in our dressing room is that the atmosphere is calm. Nicolas performed very well in training and confirmed it today.

“It’s true that when Harry Kane plays in your position, or Michael Olise, or Luis Díaz, it’s a bit difficult. There’s nothing more to it. Nico played very well today and I hope he’ll repeat this performance soon.”

‘It was a very good performance’

Kompany concluded: “I’m very pleased, regardless of the goal at the end. There were a lot of young players on the pitch then and it can happen that you briefly lose a bit of organisation in that period.

“But overall, it was a very good performance. The intensity was right and the boys who played today showed why we have so many points in the Bundesliga.

“Obviously, we know what the players who didn’t play today can give us, but those who were on the pitch did their job very well. Without their performances across the season, we wouldn’t be where we are now.”

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The performance against Borussia Mönchengladbach could prove to be an important moment in Nicolas Jackson’s season with Bayern Munich. The Senegalese striker has been working hard to earn more opportunities in a squad filled with attacking talent. By scoring and contributing to the team’s attacking play, Jackson showed that he can be a valuable option for coach Vincent Kompany whenever he is called upon.

Competition for attacking places at Bayern Munich remains extremely high. With world-class players such as Harry Kane and other attacking options available, earning consistent minutes is always a challenge for any forward at the club. However, Jackson’s ability to stay patient and deliver when given a chance demonstrates his professionalism and determination.

Bayern Munich continue to lead the Bundesliga table as they push for another league title. Performances like the one against Borussia Mönchengladbach highlight the depth of quality within the squad. If Jackson continues to take his chances and maintain strong performances in training, he could play a bigger role for the Bavarian giants in the final stretch of the season.

Jackson’s goal will also give him additional confidence as Bayern Munich approach the crucial stages of the Bundesliga season. For a young striker adapting to a competitive squad, moments like these can be very important in building momentum. If he continues to impress when given opportunities, Nicolas Jackson could become a reliable attacking option for Bayern Munich in both domestic and European competitions.