FC Bayern ended the first half of the Bundesliga season with a 3-1 win in Cologne, setting yet another record. Coach Vincent Kompany was proud of his players, but also spoke of an “inner conflict.”
“It feels good, and even better with the record today. It was an important win today against a difficult opponent,” said Serge Gnabry after the 3-1 win in Cologne, speaking to Sky. After falling behind, it was the attacking player who sensationally equalized for Bayern with a bouncing shot. After the break, Min-Jae Kim and substitute Lennart Karl turned the game around. “We knew that if we remained patient and played our game, the spaces would open up at some point,” Gnabry continued, adding: “At the moment, we are managing to stay true to our game even when we suffer setbacks. We know we have enormous quality.”
The quality of the Munich team can also be seen in the bare figures, i.e. the table. In their 17th Bundesliga game, the record champions secured their 15th victory in Cologne, with the other two games ending in draws. With 47 points and a goal difference of +53, FCB also set a new first-half record in the German top flight, surpassing their own previous best. The previous record was also set by Bayern, who also picked up 47 points in the 2013/14 season with a goal difference of “only” +35.
“From tomorrow, everything starts from scratch again”
“It’s an internal conflict with my mentality that we’re already celebrating a record in the middle of the season, because it’s not a title,” said coach Vincent Kompany at the press conference. But: “It’s so incredibly difficult to achieve any record at this club or in the Bundesliga. That’s why I say to the guys: ‘Congratulations, you’ve done it.’”
Nevertheless, the focus immediately shifted back to the future in a very professional manner. On Saturday evening, the team faces third-placed RB Leipzig, who are 15 points behind and still remember the 6-0 defeat on the first matchday.
“The second half of the season starts tomorrow, everything starts from scratch again and we will try to win the second half of the season too,” said Kompany.
The 30-year-old defender was also asked about the upcoming match against RB Leipzig, who are third in the table, 15 points behind and still smarting from the 6-0 defeat on the first matchday.
