Kompany confident Bayern can continue prolific Bundesliga away form

By Sports Desk November 08, 2024

Vincent Kompany is confident that his free-scoring Bayern Munich side can continue their prolific form away from home when they face St. Pauli on Saturday. 

Bayern returned to winning ways in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Benfica in midweek, but are now looking to remain at the Bundesliga summit. 

Kompany's team are the only unbeaten side away from home in the league this term, taking 13 points from their five games on the road. 

They have scored at least three goals in each of their last five Bundesliga away games to equal the league record set by themselves in 2019-20 under Hansi Flick.

In league history, no other side has ever scored as many goals in their first five away games of a campaign as Bayern’s current return (22).

Kompany, however, was unsure about why his team were so effective away from the Allianz Arena. 

"Good question. Honestly, I don't know why that is," Kompany told a press conference.

"I don't think we differentiate too much between away games and home games. Obviously, it is extra motivation to play in our Allianz Arena.

"But we have also played a lot of matches on the road. Our plan does not change whether we play against St Pauli away or at home.

"Maybe that is the reason we have scored so much. Maybe it is the opponents changing their plans.

"We have prepared for what we have seen, and we hope it will work on the day."

Bayern's victory over Benfica came after back-to-back defeats to Aston Villa and Barcelona in the Champions League, moving them up to 17th in the new 36-team standings. 

Though the scoreline suggested a closely contested affair, Kompany's side put on a dominant display that warranted a more handsome margin at full-time. 

Bayern ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.45 from their 22 shots, while restricting their opponents to just one shot. 

Despite the quick turnaround from Wednesday's triumph, Kompany insisted that his players will be well-prepared for their trip to the Millerntor-Stadion. 

"My players will be fresh on Saturday. I have the feeling the team is fresh mentally and physically even though we did not have a lot of time to recover," Kompany said. 

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    Xabi Alonso lauded Bayer Leverkusen's fight in their 2-1 win over St. Pauli on Saturday, earning the champions a third-straight Bundesliga triumph. 

    Alonso's side struck twice in the first half through Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah, with Morgan Guilavogui reducing the deficit in the 84th minute for St. Pauli. 

    Leverkusen improved their record against newly-promoted sides in the Bundesliga, having lost just one of their last 21 games against them (W16 D4). 

    But the reigning champions were made to work for their win, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 0.88 from their six shots compared to St. Pauli's 1.82 from their 12 efforts.

    "Yes, we didn't discuss for today, but after Kiel, for example, what we can do better," Alonso told reporters following Saturday's victory. 

    "How to play with more intelligence in those minutes. Today wasn't spectacular, but we were more efficient and playing with more intelligence from minute one. 

    "When you play every three days, it's not easy to defend everything all the time. I have to praise my team for finishing today's game with a win. 

    "But that is what we need to realise about the situation that we are in. To fight for results and to fight for points. Yes, the first half was good, and the second half was okay."

    The victory moved Leverkusen up to third in the Bundesliga, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich, who beat Heidenheim 4-2 on Saturday.

    But their attention will turn swiftly to the Champions League, with Inter the visitors to the BayArena on Tuesday. 

    Alonso's side find themselves sixth in the new 36-team standings in the competition after five games, taking 10 points from those games and scoring 11 times. 

  • Super-sub Musiala thrilled to end Bundesliga drought on home soil Super-sub Musiala thrilled to end Bundesliga drought on home soil

    Jamal Musiala felt "good to celebrate with the Bayern Munich fans" after netting his first Bundesliga home goals of the season in the 4-2 win over Heidenheim.

    The Germany international climbed off the bench to score twice at the Allianz Arena, where he had not found the net in the German top flight since an 8-1 rout of Mainz in March.

    Musiala's 11th Bundesliga appearance of the season was his first as a non-starter.

    However, he said the breather was welcome and made him feel rejuvenated upon entering the contest, before taking his goal tally for the campaign to 12 in all competitions.

    "Recently, I've played a lot of games in a row," he said. "That's why it was good that I got a break and came back energised.

    "I've finally scored here in the [Allianz] Arena again. It feels good to celebrate with the fans."

    Good morning #FCBayern Fans!

    of the log and unbeaten in the #Bundesliga. pic.twitter.com/Ah7XbvVMFV

    — FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) December 8, 2024

    Vincent Kompany's side got back to winning ways following their 1-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal on Tuesday, in which Manuel Neuer was sent off early on.

    And the Bayern boss was pleased by the response of his players.

    "We started this week with a tough schedule, played 70 minutes with 10 players against Leverkusen, so it was always a dangerous game for many reasons," he told reporters during his post-match press conference.

    "The first half was very good, possession was fluid. The second half - although we stayed calm when we conceded - the last 15 to 20 minutes, the feeling for Heidenheim is totally justified that they are still in the game.

    "Still, we created a lot of chances. It was a tough week. We scored four goals. It was still a very, very good day."

  • Dortmund will learn from Gladbach draw, says 'hurt' Sahin Dortmund will learn from Gladbach draw, says 'hurt' Sahin

    Nuri Sahin was left "hurt" and frustrated after his Borussia Dortmund team were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Borussia Monchengladbach.

    Dortmund took the lead through Jamie Gittens in the 75th minute of Saturday's Bundesliga contest, but hosts Gladbach swiftly hit back when Kevin Stoger converted a penalty.

    Gladbach were reduced to 10 in stoppage time when substitute Tomas Cvancara received two bookings in quick succession, but Dortmund were made to settle for a draw.

    It means Sahin's team, who created three big chances – defined as an opportunity from which a player would reasonably be expected to score – and had 16 shots, have still not won an away game in the league this term.

    "It is frustrating that we did not kill off the game, that we did not score a second goal," said Sahin, who saw his goalkeeper Gregor Kobel make a fine save late on to deny Robin Hack.

    "It hurts and is maybe more frustrating than the away defeats before. But we will learn from this."

    Dortmund also lost Niklas Sule and Maximilian Beier to injury.

    And the duo are now doubts for Dortmund's Champions League meeting with Barcelona next week.

    "This is like a bad joke to be honest," said Sahin, who has had to grapple with a long injury list all seen.

    "I don't know if I have done something wrong to have that many injures.

    "Obviously after having taken them off, they are doubtful for Wednesday."

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