Kompany fulfills Bayern’s promise: Hoeneß will be particularly pleased | OneFootball

Vincent Kompany sent out a clear signal at the last away game of the year. The Bayern coach gave two campus talents their first professional minutes – and thus fulfilled a promise that has long been of strategic importance at FC Bayern

FC Bayern’s 4:0 away win at 1. FC Heidenheim was a commanding victory in sporting terms, but even more important strategically, as Vincent Kompany used the game to give two youngsters their first Bundesliga minutes. David Santos Daiber and Cassiano Kiala celebrated their professional debuts in the Ostalb – in a phase of the game in which everything was by no means decided

That’s what makes these substitutions so remarkable. With the score at 2-0, in freezing temperatures and with an opponent trying everything once again, Kompany made a conscious decision not to play maximum security and to put his trust in his own young talent. A clear signal – both internally and externally

Trust instead of caution – Kompany relies on preparation

photo: IMAGO

David Santos Daiber, a defensive midfielder, came into the game in the 72nd minute. The 18-year-old showed no signs of nervousness, won important duels and played a decisive role in Bayern’s third goal. His ball recovery in his own penalty area initiated the attack that Luis Díaz later successfully finished off. Daiber was also involved in the 4-0 after Cassiano Kiala had previously secured the ball

Kompany explained after the game that these appearances were no coincidence. The two youngsters have been training regularly with the professionals for months, know the routines and have recommended themselves internally. For the Bayern coach, it is crucial that young players are not surprised at the moment of their debut, but are prepared. This is precisely where his approach differs significantly from previous years

A promise kept to Hoeneß and the campus

With these debuts, Kompany also fulfilled a promise he had made to club patron Uli Hoeneß in the summer. Hoeneß had publicly emphasized that he expected talented players to be integrated over the course of the season. Lennart Karl is the most prominent example, but Heidenheim showed that this is not just an isolated case

Sporting director Max Eberl also underlined this course. The link between the campus and the professionals is no longer lip service, but actual practice. The young players are not just training guests, but real options. If professionals are absent, there is no knee-jerk reaction to call for transfers – the club falls back on its own training

This is also an economic necessity. At around 70 million euros, the Bayern Campus was a massive investment. At the same time, transfer fees exploded on the transfer market. For Hoeneß, the campus was always the answer to this madness. But for a long time, the return remained manageable. Too often, talented players left the club without having made a lasting impression

Now there are signs of a rethink. Karl is about to bite. Wisdom Mike is regularly collecting minutes. Santos Daiber and Kiala have taken their first steps. They are not yet regular players, there is still a long way to go. But the process is clearly defined – and is being pursued consistently.