Bayern insights: Kompany really has bred a beast | OneFootball

FC Bayern win the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Real Madrid. FCBinside provides three insights into the match

Bayern won 2-1 in Madrid and are therefore in a good position for the second leg in Munich. The game provided the following insights

1. Kompany really has bred a beast

Whenever FC Bayern play Real Madrid, the myth of the „Bestia Negra“ is invoked. In reality, it has turned out in recent years that it was the Whites who were Munich’s most fearful opponents – and not the other way around

In the end, Real were always too composed or simply had luck on their side. Two years ago, the „White Ballet“ destroyed Bayern’s dreams of reaching the final at the last minute. Back then, it was still under coach Thomas Tuchel, who had to resign afterwards. Since then, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany has truly bred a beast in Munich

The dominance exuded by his team is truly monstrous at times. Bayern’s attack leaves the competition in the Bundesliga in despair on a weekly basis, but even the proud Spaniards were unable to get Luis Diaz, Serge Gnabry, Harry Kane and Michael Olise under control

Olise in particular was able to do almost anything he wanted at the Bernabeu, with the Frenchman given huge spaces by the Madrilenians and repeatedly exploiting them for dangerous dribbles or passes

At the beginning of his Bayern era, the team often had major problems with counter-attacking, but the Belgian has now refined his defensive work

It was remarkable that the full-backs Konrad Laimer and Josip Stanisic did not act any differently in Madrid than in a Bundesliga match: In possession, both developed a lot of forward pressure, Laimer could even be found in the center forward position from time to time

Of course, you can never completely shut down world-class attackers like Kylian Mbappé or Vinicius Junior. Nevertheless, Bayern had their opponents under control for long stretches. You can see that Kompany’s master plan at Bayern is working. Bayern are performing like Champions League winners at the moment

2. Bayern must remain vigilant

Despite all the euphoria, Bayern must remain vigilant in the second leg. Real have shown how dangerous they can be at any time

Bayern could have won by a higher margin in Madrid, but after the goal conceded by Mbappé, they now go into the second leg with only a narrow lead. A narrow victory is enough for Real to force extra time in Munich

After all the comebacks in recent years, the Madrilenians have the self-confidence to make up for any deficit. Real star Trent Alexander-Arnold expressed this attitude directly after the final whistle: „Anything is possible when Real Madrid are playing in the Champions League,“ said the Englishman

Bayern must not become too euphoric after their excellent performance in Madrid, but the team, and even more so the coach, do not give the impression that they are underestimating Real after their performance in the first leg

Everyone seems highly focused, and the record champions are determined not to let their hard work be rewarded in the hot phase of the season. The term „crunch time“ has been posted everywhere in the visitors‘ dressing room in Madrid. Bayern are on a mission right now. Kompany’s team now wants to reward itself with titles, and they don’t want Real to be the spoilsport again

3. Neuer shows everyone

Manuel Neuer was Man of the Match at the Bernabeu, saving the day for his team with his saves, putting in a world-class performance and earning himself an FCBinside grade of 1

For Neuer, his superb performance in this very stadium was certainly a source of satisfaction. Two years ago, he made a blunder in the same place and Bayern were knocked out. This time, Neuer was the hero of Madrid. At 40 years of age, he kept his cool like in his prime

Afterwards, there was praise for Neuer from all sides, with sporting director Max Eberl saying that he had saved the victory for FCB. Team-mate Aleksandar Pavlovic even openly admitted that he would love to play with Neuer at the World Cup

The subject of the World Cup came up again anyway, of course, even if Neuer retired from the national team – shouldn’t the best German goalkeeper play for Germany at the World Cup?

Although Neuer himself reacted annoyed to the new World Cup debate after the game, the fact remains: Neuer showed everyone with his performance on the biggest possible stage. German number 1 Oliver Baumann will also have seen the Neuer show in the seething Bernabeu – at home in front of the television.