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A big night in Europe, an important step in the Champions League - and an impressive milestone in the dugout: Vincent Kompany celebrated his 100th competitive match as coach of the German record champions by leading FC Bayern to a 2-1 victory in the first leg of the quarter-final in Europe's premier club competition at Real Madrid. The win at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu epitomises what the Belgian has built up in Munich since taking up his post at the start of the 2024/25 season. This special week also marks a very personal moment for Kompany: he celebrates his 40th birthday today. All the best, boss!
After 100 games, the team's record reflects the aspirations and development under Kompany: 76 wins, 13 draws, 11 defeats and a goal difference of 302:101. Under his leadership, FC Bayern have become a team who push forward boldly, work hard and are reliable in crucial phases. A strong attack, intense pressure on the opposition, playing with a lot of enthusiasm - combined with the clear aim of controlling every game: The coach's philosophy is clearly recognisable on the pitch.
Milestone victory at the Bernabéu as a reflection of his work
Aleksandar Pavlović, Luis Díaz and Co. impressed in the quarter-final first leg in Madrid and put themselves in a good starting position for the second leg on Wednesday. | © FC Bayern
The milestone match at the Bernabéu impressively encapsulated many of these elements. Bayern consistently created dangerous chances against one of the best attacking sides in Europe - and defended with fierce determination in crucial phases. "You always had the feeling that the game was on a knife-edge and could tip one way or the other," said Kompany after the match. "We felt we had more and better chances." At the same time, he praised his team's defensive work and an impressive Manuel Neuer, who pulled off "some incredible saves".
It was typical of Kompany how sober and focused he remained despite this important away win. "Everyone in the dressing room is still very calm, we have to win again to progress," he stressed. And yet he wanted his players to realise the value of the moment: "I want our lads to know that they won at the Bernabéu. That's also worth something, we have to take that with us. It shows that we can achieve so much." According to Kompany, the belief in their own strength must be carried into the second leg: "When I look at the chances we had, it must give us confidence that we can score even more goals."
Important week: St. Pauli and the second leg against Real
Vincent Kompany has been head coach of FC Bayern since the start of the 2024/25 season. | © Imago
The boss is already looking ahead. "We want to make the difference with our fans at the Allianz Arena," said Kompany, with one eye on the second leg against Real. Before that, however, the next job in the league is the away trip to FC St. Pauli on Saturday (kick-off 18:30 CEST). The momentum from Madrid, the stability from 100 games with this record - Kompany intends to use all of that to take the next steps with his team in what is an intense season.
So this week, Vincent Kompany is combining sporting and personal matters: the milestone of 100 games as FCB coach and his 40th birthday. He's already given himself and his team the big presents on the pitch - with the win at the Bernabéu and a strong interim summary of his time in Munich so far. Only one more wish is appropriate: continued success, good health and many more milestones together!
The analysis of the game in Madrid:
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