The best start for a Bayern coach in eight years, league leaders in the Bundesliga again for the first time in nearly 12 months, first leaders in the new Champions League format – Vincent Kompany's record in his first few weeks in Munich is impressive. As a player, he also celebrated a string of successes and titles, particularly during over 10 years with Manchester City. However, one statistic could give the new FCB head coach a headache ahead of the upcoming clash with Werder Bremen on Saturday afternoon.
No luck with Hamburger SV
The Belgian didn't appear too concerned ahead of the trip north, responding to a journalist's question at the pre-match press conference with good humour. Kompany described how much he's looking forward to the club's visit to the Oktoberfest with his family on Sunday and enjoys immersing himself and "experiencing a bit of Bavarian culture". The 38-year-old also recalled a Champions League match with City in the Bavarian capital, and how difficult it was to find a team hotel during the Wiesn period.
Of course, Kompany also hasn't forgotten that the northern derby against Werder was a special fixture during his time as a Hamburg player, even though he only played 51 games for HSV. "It was a derby, a very important game," described the current Bayern boss. But also one that HSV could never win with Kompany in the side.
Defeat also with Anderlecht
Because at that time, as he rightly pointed out, "Bremen and Bayern were always competing for the title". HSV lost 2-1 twice with the Belgian centre-back in 2006 and 2007, but he did at least pick up a point from a 1-1 draw in 2006. A year later, there was a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Volksparkstadion.
It wasn't just with Hamburg that Kompany came up against Werder. With his boyhood club RSC Anderlecht, he hosted the Green-Whites in the Champions League group stage in October 2004. Kompany set up the opening goal for Anderlecht, but two Ivan Klasnic goals handed Bremen a 2-1 away win. The ex-Belgium international missed the 5-1 defeat in Germany due to injury.
Banish the curse as coach
For coach Kompany, the aim on Saturday is to end this peculiar run from his playing days and celebrate a first ever victory in this special encounter. He faced no other club so often as a player without winning a single one of his five competitive matches.
You can also read about Bayern's record during Oktoberfest:
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