Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has cautioned his players about the threat posed by Holstein Kiel, highlighting their strong record against top teams ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga clash.
Despite being in the relegation zone with only three top-flight wins this season, Kiel have proven they can challenge elite sides. Bayern, sitting comfortably at the top with 48 points from 19 matches, are clear favorites, having scored the most goals and conceded the fewest in the league. In contrast, Kiel are 17th with just 12 points and have conceded 48 goals.
However, Kiel stunned Borussia Dortmund with a 4-2 victory this month, held reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen to a 2-2 draw in October, and secured another 2-2 draw against seventh-placed Wolfsburg last week. These performances have given Kompany enough reason to approach the match with caution.
“It’s good to hear that we have the best attack and defence – that shows we are doing our job, it’s always about mentality,” Kompany told reporters on Friday.
“Holstein Kiel is my priority. Look at what Kiel did against Dortmund, Leverkusen and Wolfsburg. That is a feeling they can bring against us.
“We don’t distinguish between opponents; I just want to go into the game with hunger.”
Bayern and Holstein Kiel have locked horns on just two previous occasions. Their first-ever meeting was in the second round of the DFB Pokal back in 2020/2021 when Kiel, then a second-division team, famously knocked out a star-studded Bayern side on penalties after holding the Bavarians to a thrilling 2-2 draw.
However, their most recent encounter which came back in September 2024, saw Kompany’s charges condemn the Bundesliga newcomers to a merciless 6-1 thrashing at the Holstein Stadion. Given their current form in the league and the obvious gap in quality between both sides, the Bavarians will be expected to run out comfortable winners in this one.
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