Bayern Munich finished the Hinrunde with just one loss, a remarkable run of games that would be impossible if not for head coach Vincent Kompany’s management and tactical style. Bayern legend Thomas Müller sheds some light on what makes it so special.
“It’s not new, but the consistency with which FC Bayern are playing this game is certainly interesting. There’s little room for compromise when it comes to the basic criteria that are essential in football,” said Müller, speaking to SZ about Kompany’s
man-to-man pressing and intense style of football (as captured by @iMiaSanMia)
Müller continued: “Let me put it this way: We humans are evolutionarily programmed to conserve energy – and if a coach doesn’t radically demand this effort, then there will inevitably be moments when someone eases up. Vinny, however, doesn’t allow much room for physical underperformance or carelessness. Simply put: Everyone has to be involved, 100%, every single second. He makes sure everyone is involved, because otherwise they won’t get involved. Or won’t be allowed to get involved anymore. The coach made it clear from the beginning that these principles were non-negotiable – and he made them tangible. A good example of when the team really felt it was the game in Frankfurt last season.”
Despite the game ending 3-3, Müller felt it was a pivotal moment: “In the first 20 minutes, everyone on the pitch had the feeling: ‘Wow, something special is happening here’. – We were so good and so sharp, the others couldn’t even breathe. We did concede a few goals, but we also felt how well this intense style of play and high defensive line can work when everyone’s on board.”
Kompany has gained the Müller seal of approval, and the Rückrunde promises more of the same intensity.
