Vincent Kompany usually comes across as calm and composed in public at FC Bayern. But his players got a taste of the Belgian’s other side during the team’s narrow 2-1 victory in Elversberg.
According to information from the tz Bayern, Kompany was anything but satisfied with his team’s performance in the first half. Although Munich went into the locker room with a 1-0 lead, the 40-year-old is said to have been unusually blunt during halftime.
According to the report, Kompany gave free rein to his anger and even slammed his tactical board. Several players were then told personally what their coach didn’t like about their performance so far.
Stanisic and Upamecano felt the brunt of Kompany’s anger
Among the players Kompany singled out was Josip Stanisic. The right-back had moved into the starting lineup in place of Konrad Laimer, but apparently failed to impress his coach with his performance.
Even after the halftime talk, things didn’t go according to plan for Stanisic. Before the former Bayern player Maurice Krattenmacher tied the score at 1-1, the Croatian national team player made a costly mistake.
Dayot Upamecano is also said to have been called out by Kompany. The center back had, among other things, made a dangerous misplaced pass early in the game, but stabilized as the match progressed and cleared up several dangerous situations.
Even goal-scorer Lennart Karl wasn’t spared from criticism. However, this had less to do with his on-field performance. After scoring the opening goal in front of Elversberg’s home stands, the 18-year-old put his finger to his lips, provoking the opposing fans. After the match, Karl apologized for the gesture.
Four substitutions turn the tide
Kompany had made seven changes to his starting lineup compared to the 5-0 Champions League win against Bodø/Glimt. Although Bayern controlled much of the first half, the coach felt the team clearly lacked the intensity he expects from his squad.
After the equalizer, Kompany made personnel changes. In the 65th minute, he brought on four key players at once: Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Luis Díaz, and Alphonso Davies.
The move paid off. Bayern subsequently picked up the pace significantly and ultimately secured a 2-1 victory thanks to Harry Kane’s goal in the 72nd minute.
The incident in the locker room thus reveals a side of Kompany that has rarely been seen in public in Munich so far. Even during his time at RSC Anderlecht, however, the Belgian could be extremely blunt when he wasn’t satisfied with his team’s attitude and intensity.
In Elversberg, the Bayern stars now got a taste of this firsthand: if the basics aren’t there on the field, the otherwise level-headed Kompany can certainly raise his voice.