After 18 months in charge, Vincent Kompany has exceeded expectations to the point that Kompany and his assistants have already received contract extensions. Bayern Munich is undefeated in the Bundesliga and sit nine points ahead of Borussia Dortmund. Headed into the quarterfinal stage of the DFB-Pokal, Bayern is the heavy favorite to win the club’s first domestic cup since 2020. Bayern’s only loss came at the hands of Arsenal in the Champions League but Bayern only needs a win over Union SG or PSV
Eindhoven to clinch an automatic spot in the Round of 16 knockout stage.
The craziest part is that Bayern will get Jamal Musiala back in action in January, plus the fully fit versions of Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Itō. The team embraced Kompany’s catchphrase, “No trophies are won in November” but are well-positioned to make a treble run in the Rückrunde.
In anticipation of the potential record-setting season, the BFW staff has offered its collective expertise on the following topics:
- Most Valuable Player
- Biggest Surprise
- Biggest Disappointment
- Bundesliga Prediction
- Champions League Prediction
- Tactical Change
- Start/Sub/Sell (a fun exercise where the BFW writer will move players into a different category for the Rückrunde)
Michael Scott aka LoneStar249
Most Valuable Player: Harry Kane
Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich, and Dayot Upamecano all have a reasonable claim but Kane’s production is only rivaled in Europe by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Kane has scored 30 goals in 25 starts for Bayern and his efficiency is truly elite. More than half of his shots are on target and 32% of all shots find the back of the net. The bottom line is that if Kane’s shot is on net then it is more likely to result in a corner flag celebration than a goalkeeper save.
The major difference for Kane is that he isn’t tasked with being a poacher. Kane is constantly seen dropping deep to defend and help build out the offensive possessions from the back. Even crazier, the extra work has not had a negative impact on Kane’s offensive production.
Biggest Surprise: Luis Díaz
After a number of failed transfers over the summer, Díaz was acquired in late July for €75M from Liverpool. Díaz was a clear cut starter from day one and allowed Serge Gnabry to move to the number ten position and reinvigorate his form. Díaz has 20 goal contributions in 22 matches but his contagious energy has boosted the entire squad.
Biggest Disappointment: Tom Bischof
In a brilliant piece of recruiting, the 20-year old midfielder joined on a free transfer from Hoffenheim over the summer. Bischof started 31 Bundesliga matches last season and looked to be the perfect defensive fit for Bayern’s midfield. Unfortunately, Bischof has failed to earn Kompany’s full trust and has been relegated to left-back rotational minutes rather than supplanting Leon Goretzka and Raphaël Guerreiro. On the bright side, the minutes at left-back should improve Bischof’s game and he still has plenty of time to break into the starting XI.
Bundesliga: Champion
It would take an incredible collapse for Bayern to be outperformed Dortmund, RB Leipzig, or Leverkusen in the Rückrunde, let alone concede the 10-point gap. With the full return of Musiala and Davies, Bayern should coast to another Bundesliga title with an eye on besting Leverkusen’s undefeated season or breaking Bayern’s own points/goals record.
Champions League: Quarterfinals
This will be an unpopular opinion but Bayern is still a season away from making a deep Champions League run. Arsenal, PSG, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona have unique attackers that can consistently beat Bayern’s high press and defend well enough. Perhaps the scheduling gods will show some mercy and allow Bayern to make the semifinals.
Tactical Change: Tilt the formation and overload the wings
Pep Guardiola was a master at this strategy to exploit opponent weaknesses. Bayern has done this a little bit with Lennart Karl as the CAM but he naturally shifts over due to his experience as a right winger. When Musiala returns, he will likely be the CAM who makes runs behind the backline.
Start/Sub/Sell: Alphonso Davies / Lennart Karl / Leon Goretzka
Bayern’s medical staff has shrewdly reintegrated players at a slow pace. For the most part, this has prevented recurring injuries without destroying the player’s confidence. Josip Stanišić has been fine at left-back but lacks Davies’ presence in the attacking third.
Karl has lit the pitch on fire with his dazzling skills. However, his production has slowed with the increased minutes. This is common for a young player and just needs to be tempered a little bit. Karl should still earn quality minutes and the occasional start but needs to be protected from burning out too quickly.
Goretzka has given Bayern everything he has to offer and will always be applauded for his work in the 2019/20 sextuple run. Unfortunately, Goretzka is also in his 30s, has been replaced in the starting XI by Aleksandar Pavlović, and is no longer a better reserve option than players like Bischof or Karl.
Chuck Smith
Most Valuable Player: Harry Kane
For two months, Kane was the best player in the world. While not quite as dominant as he was in September and October, Kane still finished the second
Biggest Surprise: Lennart Karl
For me, there were plenty of surprises, including the perfect fit of Luis Díaz, the good performances of Jonathan Tah, and the revival of Serge Gnabry, but nothing was as stunning as the critical emergence of 17-year-old Lennart Karl. Karl proved to be a threat at attacking midfield and on the wing and put in enough quality showings to have fans believing he has star potential.
Biggest Disappointment: Kim Min-jae
At a time where it seemed like Vincent Kompany was seeking to rotate a little bit more, Kim could not grab the bull by the horns. Kim’s positioning continues to be a pain-point and his decision-making leaves a ton to be desired. It almost does not make sense for someone so big, fast, and strong to be so mistake-prone at this stage of his career. He seems like a great guy and we know he has a ton of heart and fight within him, but he reeks of a player who needs a change of scenery.
Bundesliga: Champion
Bayern Munich is head and shoulders above everyone else in the league. It is just not close.
Champions League: Semifinals
Part of me thinks this team has every capability of making the final or even winning it. However, there is this thought in my head that Bayern Munich will get matched up with Arsenal or Manchester City in the semifinals — two teams that could give Bayern Munich fits. Bayern Munich won’t make the final because it is not good enough, it will just get a bad draw and end up with a hard-fought loss in the semifinal round.
Tactical Change: Look for more opportunities to play direct
Bayern Munich loves to possess the ball and systematically wear down the opposition. However, in the instances where the team attempted to play over-the-top a little more and get direct, it was wildly successful. In most cases, playing possession and working to get Kane good looks is the way to go, but both Michael Olise and Luis Díaz have the capability to get up and away can help put that threat in the minds of the opposition. With Lennart Karl and Jamal Musiala so adept in gliding into open running lanes, it could make midfielders and defenders think twice about jumping up to pressure to quickly. It also could help open things up during those matches where the opposition just looks to muck things up.
Start/Sub/Sell: Alphonso Davies / Josip Stanišić / Sacha Boey
Start: Tom Bischof — We need to see more minutes for him in the central midfield. Joshua Kimmich’s playing time needs to be managed better. This seems like an easy one to solve.
Sub: Josip Stanišić — This one is by default. With two left-backs returning and Konrad Laimer on the right side, Mr. Versatility will head back to the bench to become Vincent Kompany’s personal, backline Swiss Army Knife.
Sell: Sacha Boey — It was easy to pinpoint this one. The third-string right-back had no role before he — allegedly — pissed off Vincent Kompany. If true, he is definitely not worth the potential headache and disruption of team harmony.
Muller_Era
Most Valuable Player: Konrad Laimer
My Laimer propaganda knows no bounds. There is simply nothing more to say that I haven’t already said time and again. Back in 2023, I knew that Laimer would be the perfect buy for Bayern and now two years later, he’s surpassed expectations. It feels good to be right about the right-back.
Biggest Surprise: Serge Gnabry
For a bit, I deluded myself with “I swear it’s just an unlucky hairstyle because Afro Gnabry plays better than braids Gnabry.” Then, over the years, I crossed the stages of grief to simply accept the winger’s performances. However, what I did not anticipate was 2025 Gnabry. Please refer to this super legitimate and accurate graph.
This extremely professional data-backed graph that wasn’t just drawn on my iPad in five minutes shows one very important conclusion. The hairstyle does not make the man, the impending contract expiration does.
Biggest Disappointment: Leon Goretzka
I have tried to defend Goretzka. Hell, his National Team performances had me hoping his quality would show at club too.
The problem with the midfielder is not his lack of quality. Rather, it seems to be his sheer indiscipline that translates into him being a liability. In a pivot, his partner is often left ‘babysitting’. Frankly, no player in the current setup has the liberty to be a janitor — to have their role solely focused on cleaning up.
Goretzka’s performances are a heavily debated topic. If one were to simply look at his numbers, they’d assume he was providing what any top-level B2B would. However, his numbers and his performance outcomes don’t tally and this is a topic that deserves its own discussion.
One thing is for certain, Bayern, or at least its current setup under Vincent Kompany, is NOT THE TEAM for him.
Bundesliga: Champion
There is absolutely no other way around this.
Champions League: Finals
For a team that is under-rested and drowning in illnesses and injuries, Bayern have done surprisingly well this season. I feel about 85% sure this team is more than capable of making the finals, hell, even winning the CL this year.
With winter break and most of the players set to return right after, I highly doubt the team should have any problem going all the way in all competitions.
Tactical Change: Rotate, sub and seat
If we want to see,
a) an in-form Joshua Kimmich who doesn’t just drop a slightly above average performance every game
b) a well-rested Michael Olise who doesn’t look burnt out from how much he’s being played
c) Tom Bischof actually play midfield,
the rotations will simply have to be better. Bayern will have to seat their overworked players and give more chances to the kids who actually have been on the seat for too long. Take for example, Daiber and Kiala got their minutes in the Bundesliga only after EIGHT months of training with the first team.
A prime example of why substitutions are still a matter of concern is the case of Kiala against Hoffenheim. The youngster was subbed on at the dying moments of the game for Upamecano. In this metric, there is not just room for improvement, there’s a whole house.
Start/Sub/Sell: Tom Bischof/Joshua Kimmich/Leon Goretzka
Tom Bischof is so incredibly developed for his age and far too good a midfielder to be testing the comfort of the seats on the bench.
Joshua Kimmich however, probably does not even know the color of the seats on there. Benching him for a duration when he can take a beginner level course in set-pieces will be highly beneficial.
Leon Goretzka’s sale is impending, unless he pulls off the most extraordinary New Year comeback.
Jack Laushway
Most Valuable Player: Harry Kane
For me, this season has all been about the attack. In my mind, it is only fair to give it to the leader of the offense, Harry Kane. While just about everyone has put in at least a B+ or higher worthy campaign thus far, Kanes season is simply extraordinary and the Englishman deserves all the flowers. We knew the talent was there but he has proved it without a doubt this season.
Biggest Surprise: Lennart Karl
This one might be basic but there was simply no other option here other than Lennart Karl. While it was love at first sight seeing the youngster have an energetic performance at the Club World Cup in the summer, I don’t think anyone expected the German attacking midfielder to come in and make such an immediate impact at his age. Karl is simply incredible and by far the biggest surprise of the season.
Biggest Disappointment: Josip Stanišić
I hate to do this because he’s been a player I’ve rooted for since his debut for Bayern. He showed so much potential at the beginning but fast forward to today he has not reached the level of a starting calibre player for Bayern. He’s been relied on more than the club would like but injuries have forced this situation. While im not sure the club should give up yet, I’m not convinced he’s good enough at the moment to earn a spot on the bench. Sounds harsh but simply put, he’s been bad.
Bundesliga: Champion
I think Bayern will pick up a consecutive Bundesliga title over some late challengers such as Leipzig, Dortmund and Leverkusen. While it’ll only get more difficult to get results once the Champions League knockouts begin, the squad is filled with more depth than in past seasons. While Leipzig and other clubs seem to be going in the right direction, it will be too little too late as it will take near perfection to beat out Bayern this season.
Champions League: Champion
The hardest competition in club football. The trophy all Bayern fans dream of each season. While Bayern fell short in their run last season for a home UCL win, this year would be a great consolation. Bayern seem to have something special brewing and when the likes of Musiala and Davies are back to full fitness and strength, this Bayern squad is gonna be feared by all. While teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, and PSG all look like equal candidates, it feels like Bayern has all the pieces to add another UCL trophy to the cabinet this season.
Tactical Change: None
Don’t fix what is not broke.
Start/Sub/Sell: Tom Bischof / Josip Stanišić / Kim Min-Jae
Start: Tom Bischof. The German wonderkid was the talk of the season at Hoffenheim, and all fans were excited to see how he would be used under Kompany this season. The unfortunate answer to that question so far has been that he isn’t being used. It’s been frustrating to see a great young talent get so little playtime, but it seems like an opportunity is around the corner for Bischof.
Sub: Josip Stanišić. The Croatian defender has been deeply disappointing this season and I’m not sure he has a future with the Bavarians at this point. While it might seem harsh, he has not proved he is Bayern quality this season and with Davies and Ito coming back into defense, Stanisic’s chance to shine might have passed him by.
Sell: Kim Min-Jae. There was so much excitement around bringing in the Serie A Defender of the Season. While there was a small sample size of Kim at the time, that accolade enough was enticing for Bayern to pull the trigger but he has never been able to show up on the big stage. A handful of costly mistakes will not be soon forgotten and while it’ll be hard for Bayern to collect a decent fee for the South Korean, it’s time to move on from the defender.
Zippy
Most Valuable Player: Harry Kane
It’s got to be. Kane arrived at Bayern Munich as one of the best players in the world and has elevated his game even more. Bayern took a noticeable dip in form without Luis Díaz but just imagine if Kane had been forced out for a critical run of games. He’s a selfless player that lets Bayern play how they do and unlike other forwards in that category, he is also a world-class producer of goals by the bushel.
Biggest Surprise: Lennart Karl
There can’t be another answer here. No explanation required.
Biggest Disappointment: Nicolas Jackson
I don’t want to be harsh here to the guy, and the Chelsea loanee did not ask to have a €15M loan fee hanging around his neck like an albatross. But Jackson is the player who is here to begin with because other sought-after targets aren’t, and while expectations were not high he has been serviceable at best. He’s scored a few nice goals while not looking near the dynamic presence he would have to be to stick around. No sooner had he landed than Bayern execs like Uli Hoeneß were talking in public about how the club probably wouldn’t meet the reported obligation to buy clause in the loan. It is awkward all around.
Bundesliga: Champion
It would be stunning if Bayern fumbled this.
Champions League: Semifinal
I have predicted a Finals victory every year only to curse the team. If I speak…
Tactical Change: ???
Not the time to be tinkering.
Start/Sub/Sell: Tom Bischof / No one / Sacha Boey
Start: Tom Bischof. He’s mature and calm and does not shy away from the responsibility of running games. Bischof’s time should come soon.
Sub: I’m going to take a giant cop out and say nobody needs to be losing their starting position right now.
Sell: Sacha Boey. Who else? Boey’s contract runs to 2028. The return of two left-backs means Josip Stanišić can cover the right-back position, as well as Joshua Kimmich if needed. Players on expiring contracts are likely to run out their deals. Boey’s playing time has already evaporated since the start of the year.
Note: for purposes of this question I am treating Davies as the de facto incumbent starter at left-back, which he is.
Rune King Thor
Most Valuable Player: Michael Olise
This is a tough one and honestly is a toss up between Olise and Harry Kane. Olise has been the most creative cog in the Bayern Munich attack set up is the Frenchman. His feints, touches and dribbles have turned Bayern’s right wing into of its most potent channel of attack. With most assists and 3rd highest big chances created in Europe’s top five leagues, Michael Olise has been the most valuable player for Bayern in the Hinrunde. Harry Kane is another candidate who is the closest contender with his plethora of goals and the all-round impact with his omnipresence on the pitch. However, a well rested Olise’s presence in the lineup is a guarantee of goals.
Biggest Surprise: Lennart Karl and Serge Gnabry
Another award that has two equally deserving candidates. Gnabry for his genuine reinvention and Lennart Karl for a dream debut season. Gnabry’s exploits as a number 10 has been written about enough and his performance behind Harry Kane and occasionally on the left wing has been nothing short of a complete resurgence. He excelled at gelling the attackers and finding the slickest of connecting passes and layoffs in the final third. Karl on the other hand has been a ball of fire that most oppositions could not handle so far. His 0.91 goal involvements per 90 is generational for a 17 year-old academy product. However, since only one can have the award, for me that would be Serge Gnabry for making a mighty comeback after being written off by nearly everyone.
Biggest Disappointment: Leon Goretzka
Honestly speaking, he was my favorite from the Class of 95. However, the current Goretzka has not done himself any favors. He is looking like the weakest link in the team right now and opportunities are going to dry up at this rate. Not only has his presence slowed down the dynamism of the midfield but his passing and shooting have left much to be desired. However, it’s not that he isn’t needed, old Goretzka would be wonderful for this current team and their style of play. Deep runs, physicality in the box(especially at corners), unrelenting duels and his ability to be a unshakeable center around which attackers can revolve and disrupt the backline seem like bygone qualities of Goretzka now.
Bundesliga: Champion
Not to sound complacent, but the only team that can defeat Bayern right now are themselves. A stacked 9 point lead on the back of an yet to be solved Kompany riddle is a recipe for lifting the Bundesliga at the end of the season. Rotations and fitness management are the only real concerns aside from some contract situations.
Champions League: Finalist
The Arsenal game was a bit messy, but that should not be the measure for the UCL. Bayern have been outrightly dominating in the season be it against domestic or continental opponents. With Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies expected to be back in the Rückrunde, making the finals of the UCL should be a good minimum for the squad to set for themselves.
Tactical Change: None, let them cook!
An opinion I continue to hold from last season’s review. VK’s doing fantastic in the situation he was put in after coming from a relegated side as a young manager. After winning the league in his first season, he has only taken the learnings from his first season and turned it up several notches. Under him, Bayern Munich has turned into a freakish machine. Fatigue did show up towards the end of the Hinrunde and naturally so. Better dead ball situations would be the only real ask from Kompany. It has been the only real chink in the Bavarian armor so far.
Start/Sub/Sell: Tom Bischof / Joshua Kimmich / Sacha Boey
Star: Tom Bischof in midfield – This kid deserves time in the midfield, he has been decent at left back, often drifting into the middle to handle pressure. With Davies back and backups in Guerreiro and Stani, throwing Bischof into the midfield mix is a promising move.
Sub: Joshua Kimmich — The man’s being overworked, he needs a break every now and then. Bischof can be used to manage Kimmich’s load while also giving him time to grow in to the next mainstay in the middle.
Sell: Sacha Boey — Boey has been abysmal at right back during the rare times Kompany does call him up. Does nothing significant and tends to give the ball away often, Boey has been a liability when on the pitch and with his value only going down, it would be wise to offload him at the earliest.
RIPLT
Most Valuable Player: Harry Kane
It’s between Michael Olise and Harry Kane but I’m going for Thomas Muller the latter. My reasoning is that Olise’s primary strength is creativity and playmaking, and Bayern have other players who can do that. Lennart Karl does it, though not at the same level yet, and Jamal Musiala before he got injured. Luis Diaz does it to some extent too. Kane, apart from his attacking prowess, is also adept at playing deeper positions (false 6 kind of thing) which Olise doesn’t do as well.
Another way to put it is with their backups: if Olise is rested, push Lennart Karl out wide and play Serge Gnabry in the middle. If Kane is rested, we’ve got Nicolas Jackson. This isn’t a way of belittling Nico and his abilities, but he’s just a completely different kind of striker to Kane, and Kane does so much more off the ball.
Simply put: Bayern without Kane is nothing (see 2022/23)
Biggest Surprise: Lennart Karl
This lad just popped up out of nowhere and suddenly Bayern have a Jamal Musiala challenger on their hands. Much like Musiala during his rise to the top, Karl just keeps getting better and better and he’s taking all the right steps in terms of his development.
Biggest Disappointment: Leon Goretzka and Manuel Neuer
I’ve made my stance about this player crystal clear, and no one will change my mind about this. Overstayed his welcome and is now antagonized by a lot of fans, and for good reason. He offers absolutely nothing and hinders players like Tom Bischof who end up playing in unfamiliar positions. Bischof even got nominated for biggest disappointment above, and whose fault is that? Not to mention his wages; he doesn’t even deserve a quarter of it. His immediate departure cannot come soon enough. What he did against Inter and Leipzig away last season is absolutely diabolical. Against Inter, he leaves a pocket of space open leaving Sacha Boey for dead and has the gall to pin the blame on him. Yes, Boey isn’t the best and he made a mistake but he had to close down two players which in itself is a tough ask. Against Leipzig, this midfielder cheaply gives the ball away late into stoppage time and Leipzig score to make it 3-3; if it had stayed 3-2, Bayern were Bundesliga champions one match earlier.
As for Neuer, I don’t know what has happened to him but he’s looked like his 2018/19 self again. Which is a shame because he started the season wonderfully, only to look like a cheap Fabian Giefer since the November international break. Jonas Urbig’s performance against Heidenheim is pretty much an indictment on Neuer because if you swap their places, the 39-year-old will concede a few goals; it probably would’ve been a 4-2 or 4-3 win if that was Neuer in goal. There’s talk of an extension but at this rate he cannot keep playing every match. It’ll be great if pulls himself together but I don’t see him staying beyond 2027, or even at the end of this season if it gets bad.
Bundesliga: Champions
Bayern is not letting up in the league and it will take a set of extraordinary circumstances to dethrone the Bavarians.
Champions League: Winners
I genuinely think that Bayern will go all the way and win their seventh UCL title. Yes, the Arsenal match was a setback but there’s plenty of time to address the team’s shortcomings. I’d argue that Bayern were pretty much on par with the Gunners but weren’t clinical or creative enough; Arsenal was both of those. With some fine tuning, Old Big Ears is coming back to Munich.
Just avoid Real Madrid and their henchmen at all costs (though a part of me wants to play them while they’re a dumpster fire, revenge is overdue).
Tactical Change: None; don’t be Julian Nagelsmann
I like what Kompany is doing and the team pretty much knows what to do (well, except for one player anyway). Player limitations are the only thing holding the team back.
Start/Sub/Sell: Tom Bischof / Joshua Kimmich / Kim Min-jae
I’ve wanted Bischof in midfield for the longest time and Kompany probably should put him there instead of that other guy. Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlovic is the midfield of the future, and how those two have yet to play is beyond me. The Salzburg friendly or maybe a Bundesliga match will be a good proving ground for that specific pivot.
Kimmich is good but there are times when he’s trying too hard and in doing so hurts the team during matches. Fortunately, Kompany has managed to convince him that spending time on the bench is not so bad so that’s a good sign. Maybe he’ll get played at right-back a few times?
I’ve always defended Kim because he was not fully fit during the past two years, but now that he is fit and continuing to play like a shadow of his old self it’s getting hard trying to justify his place in the team. Jonathan Tah usurped him from his starting position and he’s hardly putting a foot wrong. Coupled with some lackluster performances from Kim, the Korean’s time with Bayern is nearing its end.
Frank Mo
Most Valuable Player: Harry Kane
It has to be him. Harry Kane plays nearly every game, he scores at nearly a goal per game rate, he is taking on even more responsibility than usual in the absence of Jamal Musiala and is already one of the leading players in the dressing room. England’s captain has been utterly irreplaceable so far this season.
Biggest Surprise: Lennart Karl, Jonathan Tah
Exactly a year ago, Lennart Karl was enjoying his winter break after finishing the first half of the 2024/25 season with the U-17s. The trajectory from that level of youth football to regular starter for Bayern is completely unheard of. Of course he is the biggest surprise.
Jonathan Tah also deserves a shout, however. I was one of the biggest critics of the Jonathan Tah transfer, but, after a couple of early shaky games, he has slotted into the starting lineup, taken up a leading role and played consistently well week in, week out. It is worth noting that he has played the most minutes out of all center backs, even Dayot Upamecano. Tah has deservedly become Vincent Kompany’s first choice center back and I did not see that coming before the season started.
Biggest Disappointment: Leon Goretzka
Leon Goretzka’s performances over the past couple of seasons have been worthy of critique without straying into truly awful territory. This season, however, his performances have been unbelievably poor. His bad habits of staying away from the ball and favoring constant sideways passes are back and worse than ever, while his strength in midfield and goalscoring ability has just about vanished. Despite starting a lot of games in the Bundesliga, it is seems obvious that something is not right in midfield when Goretzka plays. Neither Aleksandar Pavlović or Joshua Kimmich are having the greatest of seasons, but they consistently seem multiple levels above the former Schalke 04 player whenever he plays. It is a really sorry state of affairs and, if things do not get better soon, it could mean a rather disappointing end to a sterling 8 year stint at Bayern.
Bundesliga: 1st place
Of course Bayern are the clear favorites to win the Bundesliga.
Champions League: Winners
If the right players stay fit while Davies and Musiala return to at least 80% of their best capacity this season, Bayern have a real shot of winning the UCL. Perhaps Bayern can make a habit of winning the competiton a year after the final is held in Munich?
Tactical Change: Eliminate easy bypass of press via wings
Kompany’s system is an aggressive gegenpressing one that sees opponents hemmed in as the team pushes up. To protect the middle of the park and potentially win the ball up high, the full backs often invert and move nearer to the center of the field. If the opposing try to attack via the wings, the center backs simply man mark them and prevent them from becoming outlets to relieve the pressure of the press.
The problem is, teams have figured out a way to exploit this. If opposing teams can push players up high enough to occupy the center backs in the middle, then the center backs are stuck dealing with both issues and need to find a middle ground between covering the center and the flanks. This, in turn, gives the wingers enough space to get away from the center backs, receive the ball, break Bayern’s pressing scheme and force Bayern to run back. It could even lead to the opponents launching a counter attack. This scheme is not fool proof, as it still requires the opposition to get the ball to the wingers quickly. But it is exploitable enough that, in the last game of the year when Bayern faced Heidenheim, goalkeeper Diant Ramaj was able to bypass the entire press with one precise long kick after another out to the flanks. This cannot stand.
Start/Sub/Sell: Hiroki Itō / Leon Goretzka / Sacha Boey
Hiroki Itō is such a good, technically brilliant footballer. He has been robbed of being able to feature for Bayern for most of his career in Munich due to some unfortunate injuries, but he is good enough to start. Perhaps the former VfB Stuttgart player had feature on the left until Alphonso Davies is fully ready to go. Based on his performances to end the year, it could be hard to keep him out of the starting line up.
Leon Goretzka, however, cannot start games so consistently with his current form. I have no desire to continue to critique him when I already did so above. But his current performances do not merit the minutes he is currently getting.
Sacha Boey needs a new start. There is potential slumbering in him and he has shown it on some rare occasions, but he deserves an environment in which he is fully trusted and can regularly start to build up his confidence. That can, unfortunately, only be achieved by leaving Bayern.
Dylan van Vulpen
Most Valuable Player: Harry Kane
Boring perhaps, but this pick is a no-brainer. While the likes of Michael Olise or even Joshua Kimmich as a dark horse shout was tempting, Kane takes the cake for one main reason: no one can replace him.
Hear me out. If Olise or Kimmich got injured, Bayern have the depth to soften the blow. Lennart Karl could slot into the right-wing to cover Olise. If Kimmich got injured, Tom Bischof could finally return to the middle of the park. The team would certainly take a hit, but overall the quality remains high.
If Kane were to get injured on the other hand — crisis station. Nicolas Jackson is the Englishman’s natural replacement, and despite having a better season than most expected, he is far off the mark. Serge Gnabry could also deputize in the striker position but his shaky form and questionable finishing ability don’t exactly fill you with confidence.
Considering he is one of a kind in the squad, Harry Kane is Bayern Munich’s most valuable player.
Biggest Surprise: Jamal Musiala
This is a bit of a hot-take. However, given his six months on the sideline recovering from a horrific injury, no one is expecting Musiala to hit the ground running. There has even been talk of Karl retaining his berth in attacking midfield over ‘Moose’. This is telling of how good Karl’s season has been, but I think a lot of fans have forgotten just how magic Musiala is. It won’t take a lot of time for Musiala to find his world-class form once again. He is about to issue a cold, deliberate reminder despite returning from a long-term injury — that’s how good he is.
Biggest Disappointment: Kim Min-jae
While I don’t believe any player deserves hate from fans, I do believe that it is unevenly spread and often concentrated on one player.
This season Leon Goretzka has received a roasting every time he’s set foot on the pitch. Has he been good? No. Was anyone expecting Goretzka to make any significant impact? No. Do I think Kim Min-jae has been any better? No. Was anyone expecting Kim to make any significant impact? Surely.
Herein lies my biggest problem with Kim: the expectation that he came with. He was being spoken of as an elite ball-playing centre-back solidifying Bayern’s defense. In stark contrast, since joining he was been well off that mark, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any prettier for the South-Korean international.
Goretzka has been brutally scape-goated this season, benefiting Kim while he continues to fly under the radar.
Bundesliga: Champions
Bayern are unbeaten and already nine points clear of second place, Borussia Dortmund. Fixture-wise, it isn’t even the halfway point of the season. Make no mistake, Vincent Kompany has steadied the ship and is chartering a one way route to destination silverware. The Bundesliga is staying in Munich this season.
Champions League: Finalist
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich reminds me of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side across the last few seasons. Not tactically, but rather where the squad is in terms of their growth.
There’s no doubt Arsenal have been cooking something special in the last few seasons, yet they just haven’t been able to get over the line in any significant way. However, the experience gained despite ‘The Gunner’s’ shortcomings season upon season has been invaluable. They have matured into a team that is ready to win the Premier League and even challenge for the UEFA Champions League.
Vincent Kompany still has some room to polish, learn and grow. After a few more disappointments, hard lessons learned and bar any major surprises, Bayern will once again be in a position to challenge for the treble. At this point though, it’s still too early in Kompany’s Bayern growth path.
Tactical Change: Defense on set-pieces
While this isn’t a tactical change per say, it’s still absolutely necessary.
Ever since Bayern’s 3-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates, teams have been exposing their fragility on defensive set-pieces.
While offensive set-pieces have seen improvement this season, defensive set-pieces continue to be a niggling problem for Kompany’s side.
Start/Sub/Sell: Alphonso Davies / Leon Goretzka / Sacha Boey
Alphonso Davies is finally back on the pitch after recovering from his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. The Canadian left-back has already featured three times for Bayern since his return. After extended time off over the winter break and a warm-up game against RB Salzburg, Davies should be ready to reclaim his starting role at left-back.
It’s painful to see Tom Bischof being played out of position at left-back while Kompany continues to give minutes to Leon Goretzka in the middle of the park. I believe Goretzka still has something to offer, but I don’t think it should come at the expense of Tom Bischof’s development in the midfield, where he belongs.
Sacha Boey very clearly has no future in a Bayern jersey. The Frenchman has performed well below expectation. Is this the product of injuries, bad attitude or a lack of playing time? Difficult to say. In contrast, it’s certain to say Boey needs a fresh start at a new club.
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Most Valuable Player: Michael Olise
Always available, always has an impact, and has occasionally been the lone spark when the team seemed to lack inspiration. He’s going from strength to strength, and the attack always looks more dangerous when he’s on the pitch. His pressing and defensive work is so underrated, and he always tracks back.
Biggest surprise: Lennart Karl
Boring answer, but no explanation needed.
Biggest disappointment: Kim Min-jae
A player disappoints more when you expect more of him. Min-jae was signed for a massive fee, and he has never truly reached the level we thought he’d perform at. He was supposed to be a defensive leader and provide security at the back, but he seems to be error-prone and inconsistent, and he struggles with injury issues. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s sold in the summer.
Bundesliga: Champions
Need I say anything else? Bayern is winning the Bundesliga this season, and there’s nothing that can stop that from happening.
Champions League: Winners
I know that the UCL has not been kind to Bayern recently, but this time feels different. Vincent Kompany has got this team firing on all cylinders, and the return of Musiala and Davies will further bolster this squad, that is only improving.
Tactical change: No change required in tactics whatsoever
The 4-2-3-1 is working really well, I just believe that what is missing is a good partner to Pavlović/Kimmich in the midfield rotation. It is time to move Manuel Neuer to midfield.
Start/Sub/Sell: Lennart Karl / Josip Stanišić / Leon Goretzka
Let me get the “sell” out of the way first: Leon Goretzka. Next, since Davies will be starting more often, I believe Stanisic should be a super-sub, with Konrad Laimer the bonafide RB. I speak for everyone when I say Bayern NEEDS to start Davies and Laimer together. Finally, continue giving my boy Lennart Karl starts. I fear that benching him upon Musiala’s return might break his stride; a player of this quality should not languish on the bench. Let them all fight it out in training, and may the best man play.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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