Bayern want to end the season in Sinsheim with a win and secure coach Vincent Kompany a place in history.
These days, coaches and sporting directors are rarely caught off guard by questions or comments at press conferences or in smaller gatherings because they always receive a briefing in advance. “This and that is what to expect, you could say this and that, but under no circumstances should you say this or that.” Otherwise, this or that might happen!
So, of course, Vincent Kompany knew exactly what topic would be discussed in the small press conference room on Säbener Straße on Friday morning before the last Bundesliga game of the season. “That was a topic for you, not for me,” Kompany replied confidently, avoiding the devil word Ibiza. “The topic for me was Hoffenheim.”
And anyway, what was that one term that many people used in the run-up to the game? “What’s that called? Distortion of competition?” Kompany tried, drawing out the syllables. “I think it’s good to be objective sometimes,” he said instead, venturing a brief look back at April.
There, Bayern had thrown away their Champions League semi-final in Milan on Wednesday, flown back to Munich on Thursday, and then had just one day to prepare for the away game in Heidenheim. “We had almost no rest at all.” Unlike this week, when all the players reported back on Tuesday and enjoyed a spa day at the Therme Erding in the evening at the invitation of Thomas Müller.
The fact that Bayern Munich is always “talked about” in every way is nothing new for Kompany. “That’s part of it. We had enough time. So competitive distortion… Maybe we need to think about that again.”
Instead, the coach is focusing on Hoffenheim and is full of praise for the team in fifteenth place, which is threatened with relegation. “They score an incredible number of goals,” he praises. They have scored 46 to be precise, which is two more than fourth-placed Freiburg, but also three fewer than relegated Kiel, who are second from bottom. ‘I’ve seen very few games where the opposition has got to grips with Hoffenheim’s attack.’
Neither could Bayern, exactly one year ago, when Thomas Tuchel bowed out with a 2-4 defeat. “We mustn’t forget that we became champions through a lot of hard work. We can’t allow any opponent to have a great afternoon against us.”
Especially since Kompany could secure his place in Bayern history. Should Munich win in Sinsheim, the Belgian would have the best debut season of any Bayern coach after Pep Guardiola (90) with 82 points.
