FC Bayern Munich continue to go from strength to strength in the first few weeks under new coach Vincent Kompany. The increased self-confidence was also evident in Bremen on Saturday, but now faces a real test.
Almost 120 kilometers more run than their opponents. More than twice as many passes (842:359), 25:0 shots, 70 percent possession of the ball – and, of course, particularly important: a final score of 5-0. As in Tuesday’s Champions League game against Zagreb (9- 2) – also on Saturday afternoon in Bremen dominant and offensive.
Kompany’s system is in focus
“You could always feel back then that you hardly got the ball. It wasn’t fun,” Vincent Kompany said on Sky before the game at the Weser about his own experiences as a player in his time in the Bundesliga. Now he hopes “that we can achieve that again,” said the 38-year-old Belgian about the way he wants to perform with the Munich team.
No sooner said than done, it was then also in Bremen in the sixth competitive game victory in the sixth game under Kompany, who comes along with the impressive goal ratio of 29:5. “It’s going well with the pressing against the ball,” agreed Jamal Musiala. “It was important to keep a clean sheet. We have so much quality up front and stability in midfield. That’s what makes football fun,” said the Germany international.
Olise and Kane as scoring machines
The new system is something ‘new for all of us,’ but it works: ”We can see we can do it. We use our fitness to win our games in every game.” Michael Olise in particular, but not only, was in top form in Bremen, scoring two goals and providing two assists. ‘He’s a great player. We get on well and talk a lot. We know what we both like,’ said Musiala, describing the good chemistry that has already developed between him and the young Frenchman.
Harry Kane was also very satisfied. “Our attitude deserves praise, again today,” said the goal-getter, who not only scored again in Bremen but also set up two goals. ‘We kept pushing even after the third or fourth goal,’ said the Englishman, pleased with the record champions’ current ease of being.
Style change in the top game? “We are Bayern Munich”
It’s no wonder, then, that Bayern are looking ahead to next week’s prestige clash with the double winners Bayer Leverkusen with a great deal of confidence. Musiala, meanwhile, does not believe that coach Kompany could change his high-running tactics. And Kane reiterates: “We are Bayern Munich. We don’t change our style for other teams. We just have to have the same attitude as we have had so far this season. Then it will be a great game.”
Can Munich’s system, which has been so dominant and dangerous, especially for opponents, also hold against the title defenders? “I don’t know,” said Kompany, but added that he meant this “as a joke”. He doesn’t want to appear too confident of victory: “We’re playing against a top, top opponent. We’ll see then.”