In an incredible comeback against Fulham, Burnley’s players cleared their minds before halftime, according to Vincent Kompany.
The Cottagers appeared on track for their first victory at Turf Moor in 73 years, securing a lead with first-half goals from Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz. Despite Burnley’s somewhat disorderly defensive performance, the home team mounted a comeback in the second half, rescuing a late point with two goals from substitute David Fofana.
After the game, Kompany gave a speech in which he commended the spirit of his players and identified their halftime showdown as a crucial turning point.
“I suppose this is the purpose of football,” he remarked.
We got off to a very strong start in the first half. However, we find ourselves behind 1-0 and, more improbably, 2-0.
“After that, it really lost steam and stopped progressing, but at halftime, I saw a team that was passionate, had character, and wanted to fight.
“I believe the guys had a shot at one another. They went outside, and within five minutes, they gathered and prepared to run each other over.” They received their rewards for doing it. it is what they did.
Even though Fulham scored two goals in the game, Kompany will still be worried about the defense that allowed them to score.
“It’s difficult to go on a tactics board and give them a solution right away when you concede goals like this,” Kompany continued.
“However, it seemed that we were leading the City game in general, so the most important thing [at halftime] was to just go for it. Go all out for it.
“After a game, we have to leave everything on the field, and that’s exactly what they did. We cannot look back.”
“They took ownership of it themselves, so they didn’t need too much encouragement from me.”
Although Maxime Esteve and Lorenz Assignon made an impressive debut, Fofana emerged as the clear winner after scoring twice in his inaugural Turf Moor game.
“It was a turning point for us,” Kompany said in closing. “The performance of Lorenz Assignon and the other players that came off the bench, the positive play of Maxime Esteve, and the performance of Fofana.”
We need to have individual performances like this week in and week out; I can’t imagine a season without them.