Kompany Defends Bayern Despite Toothless Display Against Leverkusen

Feb, 16 2025

In a Bundesliga showdown that left fans puzzled, Bayern Munich grappled with an unexpected offensive stalemate against Bayer Leverkusen, leading to a goalless draw. This wasn't just any ordinary match; it marked the first time ever since records began back in 1992, that Bayern Munich didn't fire a single shot in the opening half of a league game. Quite the head-scratcher for a club of their stature.

The statistics tell a story of missed opportunities and a lack of firepower, with Bayern failing to land even one shot on target over 90 minutes. All their attempts came in the latter half, yet none troubled the opposing goalkeeper. This surprising stat line leaves Bayern fans wondering what went wrong with their usually lethal attack.

Defensive Stance Over Offensive Brilliance

Leverkusen took the opportunity to press hard, dominating the match with 55% possession and a commendable 16 attempts at goal. Their efforts saw them hit the crossbar twice, intensifying Bayern's struggle. Florian Wirtz’s late chance in stoppage time nearly sealed a victory for Leverkusen, but Lady Luck had different plans.

Bayern's Harry Kane was a shadow of his usual self, barely making an impact with just a mere 10 passes over the course of the match and no touch inside the box, a testament to the home team's inability to pierce Leverkusen’s defenses.

Kompany's Take on the Game

Despite these shortcomings, head coach Vincent Kompany backed his squad, taking a glass-half-full approach. 'We actually deserved to win,' he stated, focusing on the team's defensive resilience that kept Leverkusen at bay. According to Kompany, the match was more about Bayern's ability to block and defend than their traditional attacking flair.

The xG (expected goals) numbers painted a vivid contrast, with Leverkusen’s 2.23 outclassing Bayern’s meager 0.14. These figures underscore the struggles and strengths on display, showcasing Bayern's reliance on defensive grit rather than a forward assault.

In the face of such a rare occurrence, Bayern Munich maintained their eight-point lead atop the Bundesliga table. With twelve games left in the season, the club's defensive strategy appears to be keeping them afloat for now. Yet, the question remains: can Bayern reclaim their attacking sharpness before it's too late? Only time will tell.