Despite defensive bottleneck: Kompany remains calm ahead of Leipzig | OneFootball

FC Bayern have played a historic first half of the season, but ahead of the Bundesliga top match against RB Leipzig, of all things, the defensive personnel situation is becoming a challenge. Two absentees in the space of just a few days have hit the Munich side hard. And yet: Vincent Kompany remains remarkably calm

Josip Stanisic, who suffered a capsule injury in his ankle, and Konrad Laimer, who tore a muscle fibre in his left calf, are two important defensive players who will be out for weeks. Both are not expected to be fit again until February. The situation on the right-hand side of defence is particularly problematic, as Sacha Boey is also still absent due to illness and has not been able to play a competitive match for weeks

Nevertheless, Kompany refused to be alarmist at the press conference ahead of the Leipzig game. „We have a lot of absentees at right-back, but we’ve solved that in the past,“ explained the Belgian, referring to earlier stages of the season. „A lot of other players can play there, at the start of the season we had a lot of absentees at left-back.“

For Kompany, the situation is challenging but by no means dramatic. „The boys will miss a few games, but it could have been worse. Josip Stanisic and Konrad Laimer will be back soon,“ he emphasized

This calmness fits in with the overall picture of the season so far, with FC Bayern appearing structured, stable and solution-oriented under Kompany – even when things get tight in terms of personnel

Davies back, Kimmich an option again

photo: IMAGO

The return of Alphonso Davies provides additional relief. The Canadian had missed the games against Wolfsburg and Cologne due to illness, but will be available again against RB Leipzig. This means that at least the left side of defence is clearly manned again – an important factor given the current constellation

Joshua Kimmich is also back in time. The 30-year-old has recently been struggling with ankle problems, but according to Kompany, he is „very likely“ to be an option again. What’s more, the DFB international is even considered a candidate for the starting eleven. Kimmich could help out on the right, a position he knows well from the national team and in which he has already impressed on several occasions

It is no coincidence that Kompany remains so calm despite the absentees. The Bayern coach is deliberately relying on the versatility of his squad and on players who are willing to take on responsibility. Especially in a phase in which Munich are riding a wave of sporting success, unrest should be avoided

Nevertheless, the top match against RB Leipzig will be a real acid test – not only in sporting terms, but also structurally. How stable is Bayern’s defence without its regular full-backs? Kompany will have to provide the answer to this question – possibly with creative solutions and flexible role allocations.