Did Bayern Munich get it very, very right with the Vincent Kompany hire?
The former Manchester City star and Belgian international was not the first, or second, or third name on everyone’s lips last spring as Bayern sought out a successor for Thomas Tuchel. When bigger names like Hansi Flick (FC Barcelona), Julian Nagelsmann (Germany), and Roberto De Zerbi (Olympique de Marseille) all ended up elsewhere, though, Bayern went all the way down the list and ended up with the guy who had just been relegated from the Premier League with Burnley.
But has it turned out to be a coup all along?
The Athletic’s Alex Barker thinks so — having watched film on Kompany’s Bayern and come away extremely impressed, particularly with the suffocating effect Bayern has enjoyed imposing on opposing attacks.
On the other hand…Bayern has seen its share of troubles, too, starting with a 4-1 Champions League embarrassment to Flick’s Barça. While this year Bayern is top — albeit not too comfortably — in the Bundesliga, that has much to do with the stumbles around them.
I think quite a bit of the positive vibes surrounding Bayern Munich at the moment has more to do about the poor start of their opponents rather than their own improvements.
That’s not to say Kompany hasn’t done a good job. But it feels like his ability to navigate a crisis is yet to be tested.
— Manuel Veth (@manuelveth.bsky.social) 2024-12-14T16:39:46.646Z
In fact, after 15 matchdays in 2023/24, Tuchel had Bayern at 38 points in the table — two higher than Kompany’s Bayern this season, with a 12-2-1 record last versus 11-3-1 this year. In a results-oriented business, the results, if they are indeed to be different, have yet to reveal themselves decisively.
And, like last season, Bayern’s play even in victory has occasionally prompted questions and critiques. Perhaps unfairly, given the impressiveness of the overall product and the effective limits in opposition chances put on display.
Underlying dominance is not invincibility, though, clearly. A glance across the English channel sees Pep’s Manchester City in a historic rut. On Thursday they dropped points again despite dominating possession and shots against Everton. Bayern’s recent loss to Mainz featured a near 70% possession advantage for the Bavarians and 13 shots to Mainz’s eight.
But Bayern’s 5-1 dismantling of RB Leipzig just one match later to close out 2024 is a reminder of what it can look like when all goes to plan. All the fireworks went off in that one — and it has certainly buoyed the Bavarians to the Winterpause full of holly jolly holiday spirit.
Compared to last year, it does feel much better…right?
What will the new year bring?
Looking for a breakdown of Bayern Munich’s central midfielders and how they performed during the first half of the season? Great, then check out our Bavarian Podcast Works — Special Edition: Rating the Bayern Munich midfield at midseason on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
