- Turbulent Triumph for Bayern in Kompany's Debut: 3-2 Victory in Wolfsburg
Bayern Munich began their new Bundesliga campaign with a rocky beginning, losing 1:2 initially to VfL Wolfsburg. However, they managed to rally back, thanks to Vincent Kompany, winning 3:2 (1:0) in the end.
Jamal Musiala, backed by more than 120 million euros in reinforcements, put Bayern ahead at the 20th minute. Yet, they surrendered this advantage and a commanding game within eight minutes post-halftime.
Lovro Majer leveled the score from a penalty kick (47'), and then capitalized on a blunder by Bayern defender Min-Jae Kim (55') for the second equalizer. Majer even struck the post earlier (51'). But an own goal by Polish defender Jakub Kaminski (65') and Serge Gnabry's decisive goal (82') shifted the momentum in Bayern's favor, in front of a crowd of 28,917 spectators.
Not much change
Issues similar to the 1:1 draw where they temporarily lost control surfaced again, becoming a recurring problem for Bayern last season. And Kompany's initial team selections as the Bundesliga coach suggested that the club's overhaul this summer was not as drastic as initially envisioned after their first season without a title in twelve years.
French newcomer Michael Olise was the only new face in the starting eleven on Sunday. Players like Leon Goretzka and Kingsley Coman, reportedly transfer targets, remained in the squad.
Key players gained prominence
Several players seemed to have a more significant role under Kompany than they did under Tuchel. Joshua Kimmich, for instance, returned to central midfield. Frenchman Sacha Boey started on the right, in place of German national team player Benjamin Pavard, despite some reservations about his ability to fit into Bayern's lineup.
Boey and Olise shone as a formidable duo on the right, with Boey setting up Musiala's opening goal. However, Boey also conceded a penalty that led to Majer's equalizer, reflecting Bayern's inconsistent performance.
Munich dominated in the first half, with Harry Kane striking the new Wolfsburg goalkeeper Kamil Grabara with a powerful shot from close range (11'), and Grabara saving a dangerous header from Kimmich (13').
But Bayern struggled post-halftime. Boey fouled Tiago Tomas in the penalty area before the 1:1, and Kim lost the ball lightly to Patrick Wimmer before the 1:2. Despite their troubles, Bayern displayed resilience in their debut under Kompany, something they seemed to have lost in the previous disappointing season.
Munich recovered shortly after the 1:2, with Gnabry scoring the winning goal just after a big opportunity for Harry Kane (80'). But Wolfsburg came close to equalizing late through Mattias Svanberg (85'). Kompany still has a lot to work on when it comes to control, stability, and balance in the coming weeks.
Despite Bayern Munich's summer overhaul, issues reminiscent of their past, such as temporarily losing control, continue to arise, as seen in their 3:2 victory over VfL Wolfsburg in Bavaria. The game in Munich featured French newcomer Michael Olise in the starting eleven, with key players like Leon Goretzka and Kingsley Coman remaining in the squad.
In this match, Vincent Kompany's initial team selections indicated that Bayern's summer overhaul might not be as drastic as initially perceived, especially considering their first season without a title in twelve years.
