Vincent Kompany lauds Bayern Munich’s ‘outstanding mentality’ in comeback win over Wolfsburg
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Vincent Kompany has a winning start in the Bundesliga, after his side came from behind to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 on Aug 25.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
WOLFSBURG – New Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany praised his side’s mentality after they came from behind to beat Wolfsburg in their Bundesliga opener on Aug 25.
An 82nd-minute goal by Serge Gnabry secured the record German champions a 3-2 win at Wolfsburg and handed the Belgian, who replaced Thomas Tuchel after their disappointing third-place last season, a winning start.
Bayern took the lead thanks to Jamal Musiala’s 19th-minute goal but started the second half in shocking fashion, as they gave away a penalty shortly after the restart and made a defensive error which put the hosts ahead.
However, a Harry Kane header forced Wolfsburg’s Jakub Kaminski into an own goal and the England captain and striker laid on a pass for Gnabry’s late winner to seal all three points.
“I enjoyed it, it was my first Bundesliga game as a coach,” Kompany, the former Burnley manager, said.
“The first half was dominant, as it should be. We didn’t concede any chances. The second half wasn’t good at the beginning, we conceded two quick goals.
“The third point is that our mentality was right at the end, and that’s why we won the game.
“Mistakes happen, the important thing is how the team reacts. That took a while in the second half. Thomas Muller and Kingsley Coman came in with the right mentality and the tempo came back.
“At the end of the second half, we had a lot of courage to win the game. I played football long enough and know that you can lose or draw such a game. The fact we won shows that the mentality was there, even though not everything was perfect... but we’ll keep going.”
Joshua Kimmich said Bayern’s reaction was good in the second half.
“It was extremely difficult, the pitch was very dry, so the game stalled at times. Perhaps it wasn’t always presentable. But, in the end, I’m happy that we won it. The mentality was right,” the German international said.
Kane, who had a hand in each of the visitors’ three goals, added on Bayern TV: “It’s not perfect yet. We’re still obviously implementing some of the ideas of the coach. Obviously, the team is a lot stronger than this. I’m happy we’ve got a good week to work now, to get to work on the ideas the coach wants.” AFP
