Vincent Kompany, appointed as Bayern Munich’s head coach in late May, is set to lead the German giants in his first match when they face Ulm in the DFB-Pokal on Friday. The anticipation is high as fans and analysts alike await to see how the former Belgium international will steer the team.
Speaking ahead of the match, Kompany remained reserved about his strategies. “We are playing against Ulm; they have done a good job over the past couple of years,” he said. “It’s an important game for us. I don’t think it’s our intention to go into this game without respect for the opponent. We are looking forward to it. The pressure is always on Bayern, that’s the way it is.”
The upcoming match marks a significant moment for Bayern Munich, especially after their 11-season Bundesliga winning streak ended in the 2023-24 campaign, dominated by an undefeated Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Bayern’s aspirations in the UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal were also dashed last season, with eliminations at the hands of Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals and Saarbrucken of the 3. Liga in the DFB-Pokal’s second round.
Ulm, who were promoted to the 2. Bundesliga after clinching the 3. Liga title last season, represent a formidable challenge. Kompany acknowledged the fitness concerns within his squad. “The players who recently joined the team are not 100-percent fit yet, but we’ll get there,” he added. “It’s important that they stay fit because we have a lot of games in the coming months. They’re ready to play a role, but probably not for 90 minutes. I hope in the coming weeks we’ll manage to get all the players ready to play for 90 minutes. You will see tomorrow who will be there and who will not.”
The Bavarian club has seen significant changes in their roster. Bayern parted ways with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, who joined Manchester United. In terms of signings, they have brought in Michael Olise from Crystal Palace and Joao Palhinha from Fulham, aiming to strengthen their squad for the challenges ahead.
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Vincent Kompany remains secretive before his first Bayern Munich game
cgtn.com
