FC Bayern made an unmistakable statement at the start of the new Bundesliga year. With an 8:1 scoring feast against VfL Wolfsburg, the Munich side showed themselves to be in a scoring mood, mercilessly efficient and with an impressive joy of playing. The commanding success was not only a sporting statement, but also symbolic – because it fell on a very special date for Vincent Kompany
For the head coach of the German record champions, the game against Wolfsburg was his 50th match as FC Bayern’s Bundesliga coach. And this anniversary impressively underlines the path the Munich team has taken under the Belgian. With 39 wins, nine draws and just two defeats, Kompany now has a points average of 2.52 points per game – a figure that is historic
Kompany is following in the footsteps of successful coach Pep Guardiola, who also characterized his time at Bayern with dominance, control and success, even though he still holds the record with 2.62 points per game after 50 games
Flick overtaken, lead extended
Kompany’s resounding victory over Wolfsburg, however, saw him overtake Hansi Flick. After 50 Bundesliga games, the treble-winning coach has 125 points and an average of 2.50 – Kompany is now just above that. It is a further indication of how consistently and purposefully Munich are performing under the Belgian
The performance also carries weight in the table. Following Borussia Dortmund’s slip-up against Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern have extended their lead at the top to eleven points. The record champions look stable, focused and brutally efficient – characteristics that are very reminiscent of the Guardiola years
Kompany is increasingly developing into the pacemaker of a new Bayern era. The comparison with Guardiola is no longer a bold thesis, but is underpinned week after week with figures, results and performances. The 8:1 against Wolfsburg was emblematic of this – and possibly just the beginning
