The international break is causing concern at FC Bayern. While Max Eberl and Jan-Christian Dreesen are issuing warnings, Vincent Kompany is taking a calmer tone. The coach is relying on agreements with the national teams and is apparently receiving support.
Kompany showed understanding for the concerns of the club’s management and recalled last year’s experience: „Of course I understand Max and Jan’s feeling. Last year, Christoph (sporting director Freund; editor’s note) and I gave each other a high-five because everyone was fit before the start of the international break. We thought: ‚Now we can take a week’s break and then we’ll really get going‘. And then suddenly four players were injured. Of course, we have no control over that.“
Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano and Kingsley Coman were out in March 2025, and Manuel Neuer, Jamal Musiala and Hiroki Ito were later also affected. The record champions clearly felt the consequences in their Champions League clash with Inter Milan and were surprisingly eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Agreements with national coaches give Bayern hope
This time, however, Kompany assesses the situation somewhat differently. Speaking to BILD, the Belgian cites one key difference compared to the previous season: „There is a big difference between this international break and last year’s: last year we played competitive matches, now it’s mostly friendlies.“
There are also specific agreements with the national team coaches. „Many national team coaches have already decided that many players will probably not play two games. That’s why I hope that everything goes well for us now,“ explained the 39-year-old.
This approach is also evident in individual personnel matters. Jamal Musiala is being deliberately spared after consultation with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann. The attacking player is still struggling with ankle problems and should not take any risks. Kompany had sought the exchange early on and emphasised: „I think we have the same interests. We all want to get a fit Jamal Musiala back.“ He also made it clear: „We just have to get it right now so that we can get Jamal back to his best level.“
Will Pavlovic also miss the international matches?
The close coordination is also evident with Aleksandar Pavlovic. The midfielder missed Saturday’s home win against Union Berlin with a hip problem, and his participation in the international matches is open. Kompany referred to the heavy workload: „We’ve tried everything, but when the games come so quickly, it’s not so easy.“ At the same time, he made the joint approach clear: „I’ll talk to Julian [Nagelsmann] again. We’re always in close contact. There’s not much difference between the national team’s wishes and ours.“
Despite these positive signals, caution remains high at Säbener Straße. Max Eberl stressed after the win against Bergamo: „I’ll have to wait for the March international break, because that was exactly the crux of the matter for us last season, when we unfortunately had the injuries.“ He continued: „Now we hope that the boys come back healthy. And when we have the boys there, then I’ll have a really good feeling going into these really fantastic weeks.“