Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has expressed excitement and anticipation ahead of his side’s crucial Bundesliga clash against reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. Speaking to reporters on Friday, the 38-year-old manager emphasized that Bayern are eager to prove themselves against last season’s title winners and reassert their position as the Bundesliga’s top team.
Bayern Munich, under Kompany’s leadership, has enjoyed a flawless start to the season. The club has won all six of their matches across all competitions, boasting a perfect 100% record. In their last three matches, Bayern’s attacking prowess has been on full display, scoring an impressive 20 goals. This red-hot form sees them sitting comfortably at the top of the Bundesliga standings. However, Saturday’s match against second-placed Leverkusen presents Bayern’s toughest challenge so far this season. Leverkusen made history last year by becoming the first team to complete a Bundesliga campaign unbeaten, dethroning Bayern after an unprecedented run of 11 consecutive league titles.
“It’s good that everyone’s excited about the game. Obviously, it’ll be an important game against the best team from the last 12 months,” Kompany acknowledged during the pre-match press conference. “We’re looking forward to the game. It won’t be easy, but we want to test ourselves against a good opponent at the Allianz Arena.”
While Bayern are seen as favorites for this encounter, Kompany stressed that his team must remain focused on maintaining their performance levels and continuing to improve. “Bayern are always the favorites,” he said. “We’re looking forward to playing against the champions, and we want to win. The next game is what counts in football. If you’ve performed well, you need to keep going.”
Despite their remarkable goal-scoring spree, Kompany’s focus is not solely on Bayern’s attacking capabilities. The Belgian manager is keen to highlight areas for improvement and the importance of defensive solidity ahead of the Leverkusen game. “We’ve scored 20 goals in the last three games, but it’s my job to show what we can do better,” he remarked. “Anything is possible in a game like this against Leverkusen, and we’ll prepare the team to perform at their maximum on Saturday.”
🔥 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 🤝 𝐎𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 🥨
On Saturday we take on Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena. Let's do this together! 👊#FCBayern #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/G2ItDMBDU4
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) September 23, 2024
Bayern’s success so far this season has been built on more than just their offensive firepower. Their defense has also been a key factor, with the team recording two clean sheets in their first four Bundesliga matches. Kompany praised the collective effort of the squad, pointing to their recent 5-0 win over Werder Bremen as an example of their defensive resilience. In that match, Bayern did not allow a single shot on target from their opponents.
“We didn’t allow a single chance against Bremen,” Kompany noted. “That’s not just down to the defense. We need to do everything as a team, and we’ve done that very well in the last few games. I have a lot of trust in the squad.”
Saturday’s match will be a major test of Bayern’s title credentials, as Leverkusen remains a formidable opponent, particularly given their unbeaten record from last season. However, Kompany’s team has shown they are more than capable of rising to the occasion, and the Allianz Arena crowd will undoubtedly provide a significant boost as they aim for another victory.
Following the showdown against Leverkusen, Bayern will turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League, where they will face Aston Villa in an away fixture. The added pressure of European competition is something Bayern are accustomed to, but Kompany emphasized that his focus remains on the immediate task at hand.
“Right now, our attention is fully on Leverkusen,” Kompany stated. “We’ll prepare to perform to our best on Saturday. Then, we move on.”
Bayern Munich’s current form, blending both attacking brilliance and defensive discipline, has made them the team to beat in the Bundesliga this season. But for Kompany and his squad, the real test of their ambitions will come in high-stakes matches like the one against Leverkusen. A win on Saturday would not only extend their winning streak but also send a clear message to the rest of the league that Bayern remains the dominant force in German football.
