FC Bayern could not manage more than a scoreless draw at FC Schalke on Saturday evening. In the scoreless draw at the Veltins-Arena, the record champions dominated play for long stretches but couldn’t find a way past the hosts’ compact defense. Vincent Kompany, however, already knows what will be crucial going forward.
Bayern controlled the game at Schalke for long stretches, created their own chances, and at the same time allowed hardly any dangerous situations. In the end, however, they lacked the goal needed to take the three points back to Munich. For Kompany, this is generally no cause for panic. The Belgian was particularly satisfied with his team’s defensive performance.
“I’m staying completely objective. What we did was: we allowed very few chances,” the Bayern coach explained at the postgame press conference.
Especially on the road, it can always happen that a defensive team suddenly becomes dangerous itself through isolated transition plays. That is exactly what Bayern prevented.
At the same time, Kompany identified an area where his team needs to improve. Against compact and well-organized opponents, Bayern must not let up but must keep the opponent’s defense busy for the entire duration of the game.
Kompany calls for 90 minutes of pressure
“When we play against compact, solid, well-organized teams that are willing to run a lot, you always need pace on the ball and that pressure on the goal for 90 minutes,” Kompany emphasized.
For the Bayern coach, it’s not about any one specific tactic. Rather, his team must constantly create danger in a variety of ways.
„Whether it’s ten passes, runs, chip shots, counter-pressing, crosses, or set pieces,“ Kompany explained, adding, „No matter what it is, we need 90 minutes of pressure on the defense until they crack.“
It was precisely this consistency that the Munich team lacked at Schalke. Despite plenty of possession and several good chances, the record champions were unable to decisively break through the hosts’ defense. Kompany’s formula for the upcoming games is therefore clear: Stay patient, but at the same time keep the pressure high for 90 minutes.