It has been an exceptional first half of the season for Bayern Munich. Despite a chaotic transfer window, Vincent Kompany has managed to help the team deliver consistent results during Hinrunde.
Bayern enjoyed a record start to the season, winning 16 games in a row. The record Bundesliga champions are sitting at the top of the Bundesliga with a lead of nine points. They are unbeaten in the league.
Meanwhile, Die Roten’s form in the Champions League and DFB Pokal has also been impressive. They are in the quarterfinals of the DFB Pokal. Kompany’s men are also on track to finish in the top eight of the Champions League group stage.
Bayern have been one of the best teams in Europe since they lost only one game this season. Considering the form of the team in Hinrunde, Jonathan Tah told AZ that Die Roten have the foundations to win all the trophies this season.
"The chances are good. FC Bayern always aspire to be title contenders in every competition. And I believe we're now building a solid foundation to be able to compete for all the titles at the end of the season. We're already very, very far in this process. But of course, ultimately, it all comes down to the decisive matches"Jonathan Tah
Bayern needs to ensure the entire squad remains fit during Ruckrunde
The Bavarian club will face much tougher tests during the second half of the season. Kompany’s side faced a dip in form during November, but they managed to grind out wins. They may face a similar scenario in Ruckrunde since fatigue will kick in.
Along with managing all the controllables, Bayern also need the rub of the green when it comes to injuries. They have been unfortunate in the last few seasons, losing key players to injuries before the big knockout games in the Champions League. Die Roten and Kompany will need some luck with injuries to ensure they are well-equipped for the business end of the season.
The return of Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Hiroki Ito will give Kompany more options across the pitch. Davies and Ito have already gotten some gametime in the last few weeks to build rhythm. Meanwhile, Musiala is expected to return early in the second half of the campaign. The 22-year-old’s return will be a big boost since he is one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe.
Kompany had experienced heartbreak with Bayern in the cup competitions last season. The Belgian coach has looked tactically solid this season. However, it will be interesting to see if he can navigate setbacks during the knockout stages of the Champions League. The fewer number of injuries, tactical flexibility, form of key players, and a little bit of luck will be the key factors that will decide if Bayern end up lifting another treble.