The 34th German championship for FC Bayern Munich is now just a formality. On Saturday afternoon, the record champions want to take the final step, even if the title then “has to” be celebrated away from home. Manuel Neuer is set to make his comeback against RB Leipzig, while Harry Kane will be traveling as a spectator.
Lose in Leipzig to celebrate the championship a week later at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach? And then with Harry Kane missing what could be the decisive game of his career due to a yellow card suspension? Not an option for Vincent Kompany. “No, then you haven’t seen it properly,” the Bayern coach laughed off a question on the subject, adding: “We definitely want to win tomorrow – hopefully – and then become champions. That would be nice. And I don’t think it changes anything for Harry either.”
FC Bayern need one point from their remaining three games to secure the title, given their clear goal difference advantage over Bayer Leverkusen. Kompany’s “hopefully” therefore refers only to the specific timing, not the fact that the record champions will add the 34th trophy to their bulging trophy cabinet. However, the German championship will remain the only title that the success-hungry Munich team will take with them to the Club World Cup in the USA.
“I don’t need to do the math because I always want to win,” Kompany made clear at the press conference, emphasizing that it’s not just about the final point for Bayern. The Belgian wants to keep the tension high and win “again and again and again.” “We want to see it through, even if we become champions, which we hope we will. That’s important in terms of attitude. It’s not about one point, it’s about winning tomorrow.” Accordingly, the 39-year-old is not concerned about a potential championship celebration, but rather about optimal preparation for the game.
“You’ll guess it, we don’t have that many options left.”
And once again, it’s not an easy task, as FCB continues to be plagued by a whole series of absences, whether due to injury or, as is now the case with Kane, who will most likely travel to Leipzig as a spectator, due to his fifth yellow card. Kompany did not let the bad mood get him down, however. “I trust you guys,” said the coach, “that you’ll find the right lineup for the defense tomorrow. You’ll guess it, we don’t have that many options left.” So the path will not lead past the departing Eric Dier.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Manuel Neuer will make his comeback after tearing a muscle fiber. The 39-year-old has been making progress recently and is set to replace his replacement, Jonas Urbig. “Manu has had a good week,” Kompany confirmed, “but we have decided that we will sit down together after this training session and decide what is best for Manu and for the team.”
