New Bayern era? Kompany aiming to follow Heynckes & Hitzfeld

FC Bayern has started the new season with impressive speed. Under Vincent Kompany, the team appears focused, hungry – and is pursuing ambitious goals.

With 13 victories in the first 13 competitive matches, the Belgian coach has achieved a historic start. The record champions have not only set a new European record but now also aim to make a mark in the DFB-Pokal. The declared goal: Finally reaching the final in Berlin again – a place the Munich team hasn't reached since their cup victory in 2020. In line with the sporting development, Kompany's contract was just recently extended early and could now usher in a new era.

In the round of 16, Bayern will face 1. FC Köln away on Wednesday evening – a task with potential pitfalls. The hosts recently impressed with defensive stability and narrowly lost 0-1 in Dortmund. Kompany's team, on the other hand, travels with confidence.

Jonas Urbig will replace the suspended Manuel Neuer at his former club. After the 3-0 victory in Gladbach, the goalkeeper said: “I go into the cup match in Cologne with really good feelings. We showed a strong team performance, and we take that with us.”

Joshua Kimmich also sees the series as no coincidence: “That we now have 13 competitive match victories at the start of the season is no coincidence. It is the reward for hard work, consistent training, and a clear structure in the team.” He emphasized: “Everyone is happy for each other when someone scores or assists. It is a very homogeneous team, without everything being just ‘peace, joy, and pancakes.’”

Photo: imago images

The current euphoria is reminiscent of earlier glory days. But to truly be placed alongside the club's legendary teams, titles are needed. And those have been lacking recently, which is why the cup is particularly in focus this season.

The bar is high: In the seventies, a Bayern team with Beckenbauer, Maier, and Müller dominated all of Europe. In 2001, Ottmar Hitzfeld led a squad full of mentality monsters to the Champions League title. In 2013, Jupp Heynckes formed an unstoppable unit that won the treble. And under Hansi Flick, the club became a six-time titleholder in a single season in 2020. A unique feature in the club's history.

Now it is up to Kompany to also make history with his team. The foundation is laid, the next step leads to Cologne. Whether the team will one day also be considered legendary will be decided in May or in the coming seasons.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.