Despite their first Bundesliga defeat of the season, FC Bayern remain confidently at the top of the table, but CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has decided to put the brakes on the euphoria
Before the 2-1 defeat against FC Augsburg, more and more voices have recently been heard claiming that the championship has already been decided. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen thinks little of this. „The season is still long,“ the 56-year-old made clear in an interview with BILD am Sonntag. Nevertheless, he was satisfied with the course of the season so far: „Of course I am satisfied with this first half of the season, which we have never had before, especially in terms of our attacking soccer, our goal tally and our goal difference.“
Dreesen praises Kompany’s influence on the team
Dreesen particularly praised the work of head coach Vincent Kompany, saying that the Belgian had given the team something crucial back. „Vincent Kompany has given the team back the hunger to keep pushing even when they are leading and to score more goals – even if that didn’t work out today against Augsburg,“ said the Bayern boss. The joy of playing is palpable: „The team is enjoying playing soccer and this enthusiasm is infectious.“
Dreesen made it clear that even the strong results should not hide the fact that there were phases in which Bayern were vulnerable
Warning against false perception of dominance
When asked whether Bayern had long since surpassed the Bundesliga with twelve championships in the last 13 years, Dreesen was remarkably self-critical. „We didn’t dominate every game from the first minute this season – even if the final scores were high,“ he explained. He cited the top game in Leipzig as an example: „Against Leipzig, for example, we couldn’t have complained if we had been 2-0 or 3-0 down at half-time.“
He also assessed the defeat against Augsburg soberly. „We deserved to lose against Augsburg due to our performance in the second half,“ admitted Dreesen. At the same time, however, he emphasised the new-found mental strength: „Nevertheless, we have the self-confidence and know that we can turn a game around after 45, 60 minutes or even just before the final whistle. The team has rediscovered this quality.“
Looking back – and forward
The Bayern CEO concluded by reminding everyone that dominance in the Bundesliga is not automatic: „I would also like to remind everyone that Leverkusen won the title in 2024 and Dortmund only lost the title to Mainz on the final matchday in 2023,“ said Dreesen
Nevertheless, his conclusion is optimistic: if the team continues on its current path, „we will hopefully win a few titles.“ FC Bayern is therefore confident – but far from being ready to write off the season.