12 months ago, almost to the day, Burnley were officially relegated from the Premier League. Vincent Kompany’s experience this month will be dramatically different with Bayern Munich just one result away from the Bundesliga title. From Burnley to Bavaria, the Belgian has been on quite the journey.
After a season in which Bayer Leverkusen became German champions for the first time, Kompany’s task was clear. Restoring the established order at the top of the Bundesliga was the minimum requirement and Bayern Munich have done this under the guidance of a manager who is still learning on the job.
Kompany wasn’t Bayern’s first choice. They wanted Xabi Alonso before the former midfielder rejected a return to his old club in favour of staying at Leverkusen. Julian Nagelsmann was next on the list. He too decided against going back to the Allianz Arena, signing a new contract to remain as Germany manager.
Ralf Rangnick was reportedly close to accepting an offer, but made a U-turn. Oliver Glasner was another name strongly linked with the Bayern Munich position vacated by Thomas Tuchel at the end of last season. Kompany was subsequently handed the job when few believed he was truly ready for it.
Quickly, though, the 39-year-old started to remould Bayern in his own image. Last season, Leverkusen had the highest average possession share per 90 minutes of any Bundesliga team. Kompany corrected that, prioritising control of the ball.
Bayern Munich haven’t just been the strongest possession team in the Bundesliga this season, but in the Champions League too. Indeed, their average possession share of 65% is the highest of any team to have played in the competition this term.
Some players have thrived. Michael Olise has enjoyed an excellent first season at the Allianz Arena, registering 28 goal contributions in all competitions. The France international likes to have a lot of touches of the ball and Kompany’s approach gives him this.
Jamal Musiala is another attacker who has found his best form under Kompany, giving Bayern Munich some much-needed coherence in the final third. He is possibly the player who best embodies Kompany’s coaching principles such is his ability on the ball in all areas of the attack.
And yet Harry Kane is one attacker who might have been limited by Kompany’s philosophy even if the England captain’s numbers remain typically high – 36 goals in all competitions.
There has been a lot of discussion around Kane’s role for Bayern Munich in Germany this season with many criticising the 31-year-old for his all-round game. With Kompany so keen for his midfielders and wide attackers to push into the opposition half with the ball, Kane is frequently isolated as the focal point.
Bayern’s biggest problems this season, however, have occurred at the back where the Bavarians still lack the defensive foundation to be considered among the very best teams at continental level.
This was highlighted in the Champions League quarter-finals when Inter’s rapid counter-attacks exposed the defensive frailties in Kompany’s set-up. The first leg at the Allianz Arena was especially brutal as the Italian visitors moved from back to front with ease.
Injuries were a factor in Bayern’s quarter-final exit from the Champions League. Indeed, the Bavarians surely would have stood a better chance had they not been without Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano and Musiala. They had to play Inter with one arm tied behind their back.
Nonetheless, Kompany’s decision to place Bayern Munich’s defence on the halfway line gave Inter so much space to burst into. A slightly more pragmatic defensive approach could have made up for some of the individual deficiencies on display.
It’s doubtful Kim Min-jae and Upamecano will ever have the recovery instincts, and speed, to lock the back door for Bayern as long as Kompany insists on such a bold style of play. This is why many believe the club will move for a new centre back this summer. Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen as been linked, as has Jonathan Tah.
Central midfield is another area of need. While Aleksandar Pavlović made himself Bayern’s first-choice anchor in the middle of the pitch this season, Kompany still lack a true two-way operator in this area.
Martin Zubimendi would certainly fit the bill, but Bayern Munich could lose out in the pursuit of the Real Sociedad midfielder who also on the radar of several Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Liverpool.
Even with a Bundesliga title in his first season as Bayern boss, Kompany is still proving himself. Expectation is so high at the Allianz Arena that further progress will be expected after the summer. Kompany’s biggest title as a manager to date must be the first of many in Bavaria.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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