FC Bayern are back in the league routine. Before the away game at Union Berlin, Vincent Kompany reported a small piece of bad news.
It will be a matter of mentality again for FC Bayern this weekend, albeit under different circumstances. Exactly seven days ago, coach Vincent Kompany warned against taking VfL Bochum lightly between the two Champions League games against Leverkusen and the upcoming league clash. Which was not really enough.
This weekend, before the away game at Union Berlin, the signs are different. A few players are allowed to take a short breather after the trip to the capital, the rest are on their way to the respective national teams. So this time there is no reason for Kompany to resort to a complete rotation again, as he did against Bochum. Especially since this measure proved to be rather unfortunate.
Four days off should be enough to recharge the batteries and flip the switch again. The (well-deserved) celebrations are over after the renewed statement victory against double winners Bayer, and the task at the Alte Försterei awaits, where the German record champions have never lost. “There are no easy games,” says Kompany dutifully. ”We have to win, of course. Union did very well in Frankfurt, winning convincingly. It’s very clear what they’re doing. That can always be dangerous.”
And in terms of personnel? As expected, Manuel Neuer (back in training), Aleksandar Pavlovic and the suspended Joao Palhinha are missing. Added to that is Min-Jae Kim, who has been plagued by Achilles tendon problems since the league game in Frankfurt (3-3) at the beginning of October. “I hope it won’t be for long, but he’ll be out for the next few weeks,” Kompany announced. ‘He’s had problems with his Achilles tendon, that was known. It’s now a matter of managing the strain. We have to be careful not to overburden him.’ Either the ever-reliable Eric Dier or summer signing Hiroki Ito is likely to step in.
Jonas Urbig will be back between the posts after his good performance in Leverkusen, and otherwise there should only be minor changes. Josip Stanisic would be a candidate for the right-back position, with Serge Gnabry or Leroy Sané as alternatives for Kingsley Coman, who was substituted in Leverkusen with an injury.
