Vincent Kompany's challenging Bayern Munich debut victory
Vincent Kompany's first match as Bayern Munich's head coach proved to be a challenging Bundesliga debut.
Bayern battled hard to secure a 3-2 win against VfL Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena, making the most of their spirited supporters and resilient team mentality.
The game started with a jolt as Wolfsburg's Vaclav Cerny scored twice in quick succession after the break, putting Bayern on the back foot and making the outcome of the match uncertain.
"Conceding so soon after the restart definitely took away our momentum," Kompany admitted in the post-match press conference.
"However, we could have drawn or lost. Our mentality was key to our victory, and the team showed great character to overcome this challenge."
Despite a rocky start to the second half, Bayern responded with determination. Joshua Kimmich, reflecting on the game, expressed satisfaction with the first-half performance but voiced frustration over the mistakes that allowed Wolfsburg back into the match.
"The errors were frustrating, but our reaction after going 1-2 down was commendable," Kimmich noted. "We showed resilience and managed to secure a 3-2 win, which is a boost for our morale."
Serge Gnabry, who scored the decisive goal, echoed Kimmich's sentiments. "The beginning of the second half caught us off guard," Gnabry said. "Wolfsburg's quick goals created a tense atmosphere. Nevertheless, our hard work paid off, and we were able to secure the win.
"It's a positive start, and we'll build on this momentum."
Kompany also praised Thomas Muller for his contribution. Muller, who was brought on with specific instructions from Kompany, played a crucial role in Bayern's equaliser by drawing key defensive attention.
"Thomas Muller remains a 'mentality monster'," Kompany remarked. "His presence and leadership were vital, even with a new coach."
Unlike his counterpart Ralph Hasenhuttl, who expressed different views on the atmosphere, Kompany was full of praise for Bayern's travelling fans. "The connection between players and fans is special here in Germany," he said.
"The way supporters engage with the team after games is unique, and it was fantastic to see that again today, just as we did in our friendly against Tottenham and the Ulm cup match."
Kompany's debut may have been fraught with challenges, but it highlighted both the team's resilience and the passionate support of Bayern's fans, setting a positive tone for his tenure at the helm.