Bundesliga: Kompany Takes His Munich Bow

Bayern Munich vs SC Freiburg

Vincent Kompany takes charge of his first Bundesliga game at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Sunday, as SC Freiburg the home of the league favourites.

The former Manchester City playing legend is in his biggest managerial job yet and, after mixed fortunes at both Anderlecht and Burnley, he is determined—and under pressure—to succeed at one of Europe’s most successful clubs.

The 32-time league champions will be keen to get back among the trophies this season, having flopped in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and the Champions League last term.

Kompany has made a decent start, winning his debut matches in both the cup and the league, but now he faces arguably his biggest test.

While Bayern edged a five-goal thriller away to Wolfsburg last weekend, Julian Schuster’s Freiburg started with an impressive 3-1 home win over VfB Stuttgart. And if the visitors can spring another surprise on Sunday, Kompany’s honeymoon in Bavaria will quickly be over.

 

Talking Points

Kimmich returns to Bayern’s midfield

The new head coach has brought in new blood to try to lift the malaise around Munich.

One of the most significant moves he has made is to move Germany star Joshua Kimmich back into the midfield. The 29-year-old is in his ninth campaign at Bayern and he has played much of his career, for both club and country, in his favourite midfield position.

But last season, both Germany and Bayern used Kimmich at right back and the player made his feelings known. In 2023-24 Bayern slotted Aleksandar Pavlovic alongside Leon Goretzka in a midfield pairing. But as the latter’s future at Bayern is far from certain, Kompany has preferred to move Kimmich back into the middle, alongside new man Joao Palhinha.

The hosts have a few players missing for the encounter against Freiburg, with Josip Stanisic and new signing Hiroki Ito sidelined.  The game might also come a little too early for winger Leroy Sane who has recently returned from a pelvic injury.

In other Bundesliga 2024 news, Michael Olise, (signed from Crystal Palace) looks set to make his home debut after putting in a lively performance against the Wolves.

Home fans will also hope to see Harry Kane—so often a direct opponent of Kompany in the Premier League—open his account on Sunday after collecting the 2024 Golden Shoe this week.

 

Schuster’s strong start

Of course, Kompany isn’t the only new head coach in theBundesliga this term, as 39-year-old Schuster has just taken the reigns at Freiburg after Christian Streich called time on his 12-year stint as Freiburg manager.

He has a popular and successful act to follow but Schuster, a former midfielder with 219 games for Freiburg, has made a good start in the dugout, leading his team to a 4-0 DFB Pokal win over Osnabruck.

A really impressive 3-1 victory over last season’s league runners up, VfB Stuttgart, also followed afterwards. His team are set up to defend robustly and break quickly and they did both to great effect to beat Stuttgart, so they are more than capable of causing an upset.

But Schuster has injury problems too.

His side are currently without several first team players including striker Michael Gregoritsch, centre-back Manuel Gulde and goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, as well as new signing Eren Dincki.

But he is hopeful of the influential trio of Ritsu Doan, Roland Sallai and Matthias Ginter returning to fitness in time; though the transfer deadline cannot come quickly enough for Freiburg as it seems English Championship club Leeds United are planning a last-minute swoop for Hungarian striker Sallai.

 

History

With 36 wins to five (10 draws), Bayern have controlled this fixture with a firm hand and they won this corresponding fixture 3-0 last season.

However, the two teams drew 2-2 when they met most recently in Freiburg.

Bavaria is also not a happy hunting ground for SC Freiburg—they are yet to take all three points away to Bayern in 24 attempts, so the visiting fans are looking for a once-in-a-generation result!

 

Betting Tip

Here at SBOTOP, Bayern are at very short odds of 1.17 to win this game, and Freiburg have been a very competitive team over the past few seasons—regularly playing Europa League football and finishing tenth last year.

The Bundesliga 2024 betting odds back them to land in mid table again this season, though Schuster will be aiming higher. But can Freiburg get something out of this game? At a price of 9.25 to win or 6.47 to draw the rewards are potentially very good, but I think the visitors will need a helping hand and a slice of luck … a two-goal head start might be enough for Schuster’s men.

   

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