High risk: Why the Kompany system follows the trend in world football

Munich – Belgian beer, this spicy “blond beer”, takes some getting used to for a real Bavarian. “A duel between Bavarian and Belgian beer would be at a very high level,” believed Vincent Kompany, born in Uccle, a suburb of Brussels. He said this and laughed spontaneously and loudly, as the FC Bayern coach likes to do at the end of a sentence. The happiness pops out of him like a swing top.

The Oktoberfest, which begins on Saturday, the Zuagroaßte Kompany has already heard that “is of course very important for a lot of people.” For his family, it is “important to experience a bit of the culture of Munich and Bavaria.” He is really looking forward to visiting the Oktoberfest with the Bavarian family on Sunday afternoon, traditionally in the Käfer tent. “Sometimes I drink beer too, of course,” said the 38-year-old, who has never been to the Oktoberfest.

Kompany gives Bayern stars a free pass for the Oktoberfest

Are his players allowed to? “That’s part of it. If a player wants to, he can drink beer on Sunday, I have no problem with that. The main thing is that they are fit again on Monday.” When preparations begin for the big revenge match on Saturday against double winners Bayer Leverkusen.

But there was something else before that. After Kiel last weekend (6:1), the next trip to the far north, this time to Werder Bremen, still unbeaten this season, even in eight league games across the seasons. Kick-off Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (live on Sky and in the AZ live ticker). For the coaching team, that means: first work, then pleasure. Laptop and lederhosen.

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Another parallel: A visit to Oktoberfest is – in terms of personal responsibility – also a risky event. Like the games of FC Bayern under Vincent Kompany. Here the motto – slightly modified – is: defend high, win high! No other Bayern coach before lets Kompany defend bravely, but also riskily. The characteristics: very early attack on the opponent after losing the ball, intensive pressing and high defense, usually man against man from the halfway line.

The Kompany system follows the trend in world football

After winning the ball, the action goes on, The passes are delivered to goal scorer Harry Kane and others who push forward in the fluid system. Constant position changes on the pitch, no rigidly fixed systems – that is the latest trend in world football and Kompany is loudly joining in. Standing deep and waiting, as was often the case under predecessor Thomas Tuchel? Pass. The new Bayern are offering spectacle and goals galore, most recently 6:1 in Kiel and 9:2 against Zagreb. The poor, so brave Bremen team awaits a similar fate.

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The next shooting festival is only a matter of time. Zero goals? Doesn’t have to be. “I think that, despite all the risk that can be interpreted into it, we will continue to score more goals from these pressing situations than we concede,” said Thomas Müller. The veteran believed: “If you score five (goals, ed.) up front by pressing high and concede one at the back because you’re standing high, that’s still a good deal.” So take the fans.

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And the defenders? This is where the dog called risk lies. The central defender duo. Min-jae Kim and Dayot Upamecano have to go deep in one-on-one sprint duels when long balls are played. If they are too slow or poorly positioned when an opponent breaks through, it will be a smash. Like twice against Zagreb. Nevertheless, Kim and Upamecano are predestined for Kompany’s plan, the slower Eric Dier (bench warmer) and Matthijs de Ligt (which is also why he was sold to Manchester United) are not.

As a final risk hedge there is Manuel Neuer, whose Libero excursions (“Sweeper Keeper”) have become central again in the Kompany system. On Friday afternoon, the captain trained with the team and, after being substituted at half-time against Zagreb, is fit for the duel on the Weser. And for SOS sprints to the halfway line.