Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany is optimistic his team can continue their outstanding away form when they face St. Pauli on Saturday in the Bundesliga.
After a midweek 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League, Bayern now focus on extending their dominance at the top of the Bundesliga standings. Kompany’s side has been exceptional on the road, remaining unbeaten and claiming 13 points from their five away games this season.
Bayern Munich’s Remarkable Away Record
Bayern have been in formidable form away from home, scoring at least three goals in each of their last five Bundesliga away games, equaling the league record set by themselves in the 2019-20 season under former coach Hansi Flick. With 22 goals in their first five away games, Bayern has set a new record for the most goals scored in the opening away fixtures of a Bundesliga season, surpassing all previous league records.
Despite this impressive away record, Kompany was candid about not fully understanding the reasons behind the team’s success on the road.
Kompany’s Thoughts on Away Form
“Good question. Honestly, I don’t know why that is,” Kompany admitted during a press conference. “I don’t think we differentiate too much between away games and home games. Obviously, it is extra motivation to play in our Allianz Arena. But we have also played a lot of matches on the road. Our plan does not change whether we play against St. Pauli away or at home.”
He speculated that the variation in the opposition’s approach might be a factor. “Maybe it is the opponents changing their plans. We have prepared for what we have seen, and we hope it will work on the day.”
Bayern’s Dominance Over Benfica
Bayern’s recent 1-0 win against Benfica followed disappointing defeats to Aston Villa and Barcelona in the Champions League, where they dropped to 17th in the new 36-team standings. However, despite the close scoreline, Bayern controlled the match thoroughly, with an expected goals (xG) value of 1.45 from 22 shots, while Benfica managed only one shot.
Kompany praised the performance, noting that Bayern deserved a more convincing victory. “We put on a dominant display that warranted a more handsome margin,” he said.
Kompany’s Confidence Ahead of St. Pauli Clash
Despite the quick turnaround after Wednesday’s Champions League match, Kompany is confident his team will be mentally and physically prepared for their trip to Millerntor-Stadion on Saturday.
“My players will be fresh on Saturday,” Kompany said. “I have the feeling the team is fresh mentally and physically even though we did not have a lot of time to recover.”
Key Match Information
| Fixture | St. Pauli vs Bayern Munich |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, 9th November 2024 |
| Kick-off Time | 2:00 PM (UK) / 9:00 AM (US ET) / 6:00 AM (US PT) |
| Competition | Bundesliga |
| Venue | Millerntor-Stadion, Hamburg |
| How to Watch | UK – Not televised / US – Select matches on CBS Sports |
Summary of Bayern Munich’s Recent Form and Record
| Team | Away Form | Goals Scored (Away) | Goals Conceded (Away) | Recent Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayern Munich | 5 Games Unbeaten | 22 | 7 | 1-0 Win vs Benfica |
| St. Pauli | 2 Wins, 3 Losses | 7 | 13 | 1-1 Draw vs Werder Bremen |
Bayern will look to continue their momentum in the Bundesliga, but Kompany’s team will need to remain focused on the road against a competitive St. Pauli side. With Bayern’s firepower and Kompany’s tactical preparations, they remain favorites for the three points in Hamburg.
