After the 5:1 win at RB Leipzig, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany had clear words. Despite the clear result, the coach focused on the weak first half and took responsibility.
The league leaders from Munich put in a dominant performance after the break, but the record champions were still 1-0 down at half-time in Leipzig. Kompany was clearly self-critical: „They really caused us problems in the first half. They were clearly better,“ he emphasized on Sky’s microphone.
His team were too passive in tackles and Leipzig were dangerous down the wings, „and also won a lot of balls in midfield,“ continued the 39-year-old.
In the dressing room, the Bayern coach demanded a reaction – and got it: „Second half, my God, what the boys did.“ Kompany particularly highlighted their willingness to run: „I think they ran six kilometers more than the opposition in the second half.“ Tactical subtleties took a back seat. „That was pure, old-school mentality. Run, fight, tackle, go forward.“
Kompany defends Karl and Bischof
The decisive message during the half-time break: courage instead of caution. „I don’t want to be afraid […] We went forward without fear.“ Kompany saw the fact that his team turned the game around with five goals as a sign of mentality – without glossing over the first half.
Kompany paid particular attention to the role of his youngsters. He did not want to blame the goal conceded in the first half on Tom Bischof or Lennart Karl, but on his own change of formation: „I would even say it was my fault, rather than that of the two boys.“ The 17-year-old Karl had left his position before the 0:1 and thus opened up the gap – a classic error of experience from the coach’s point of view: „Normally, with a little more experience, Lenny knows that he doesn’t have to come out of it.“