Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany insists his side’s recent good form counts for little ahead of their blockbuster Der Klassiker encounter with Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern earned a much-needed victory in the Champions League in midweek, beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 to move up to 13th place in the new 36-team standings.
Kompany’s side have also impressed in the Bundesliga, sitting six points clear at the summit following Harry Kane’s hat-trick in their 3-0 triumph over Augsburg last time out.
The Belgian boss has collected 29 points in his first 11 Bundesliga games as a coach, equalling the league record only previously achieved by Pep Guardiola with Bayern in 2012-13 and by Klaus Toppmoller with Eintracht Frankfurt in 1993-94.
They have also won each of their last five top-flight games without conceding a goal, something they last achieved under Carlo Ancelotti between February and April 2017.
They last recorded a longer run of top-flight wins coupled with clean sheets between November and December 2014 under Guardiola (six).
“The last results are gone now. I just want us to win the game tomorrow. It’s the Klassiker,” Kompany told a press conference on Friday.
“I like that these games have this special build-up. We all look forward to these games.”
“If you look at the big picture, it’s important for us not to look too much at how others see our players. It’s how we see them that’s important.”
Bayern make the trip to the Westfalenstadion on Saturday, taking on a Dortmund side who have failed to replicate their Champions League displays in the Bundesliga.
Not helped with several injuries within their ranks, Nuri Sahin’s side sit fifth in the table, 10 points behind Bayern ahead of their 136th top-flight meeting.
And despite failing to win any of their five away games in the Bundesliga so far, Dortmund have impressed on home soil.
They are the only side to have won all of their home games in the Bundesliga this season (six), with PSG and Barcelona the only other teams in Europe’s top five leagues yet to drop a point at home.
Sahin is also the first Dortmund coach since the Bundesliga was founded to win each of his first eight competitive home games in charge.
BVB could now start a campaign with nine straight home wins in all competitions for the first time in professional football. Including last season, Dortmund have won each of their last 11 home matches – they have only ever enjoyed a longer run in 1994 under Ottmar Hitzfeld (14).
And Kompany is expecting a difficult test for his side, saying: “Our preparation is for the best version of the team.
“If they are top then they go high into their pressing game, they are extremely dangerous on the break with their speed on the wings.
“When they are at their best, they are also very, very good at building up the play. It’s not going to be an easy game, it’ll be tough.”
Story by: Ebenezer Osei Kofi Bimpong.
AhotorSports, X @osei_gedo
Tactically I Have What It Takes To Coach The Black Stars – Coach Ignatius Osei Fosu
Assistant Coach of the Sudanese National team, Ignatius Osei Fosu has shockingly claimed he has the credentials to coach the Black Stars.
The tough talking tactician won’t hesitate if he is given an offer to take over from underfire Otto Addo but a move has to be seconded by mentor Kwasi Appiah, head coach of the Sudanese national team.
“I think I need to learn more from Kwesi Appiah. But if he says, ‘Ignatius, you’ve been with me for one year now, and the Black Stars are calling you, I think you’re ready,’ I will take the job because tactically, I am capable of handling the Black Stars,” he said.
With the uncertainty surrounding the future of Otto Addo it is fair to say Coach Ignatius is perfectly lining himself up for the role.
Coach Ignatius Osei Fosu is set to play an integral role in the 2025 African Cup of Nations for Sudan who will be making a return to the prestigious competition.
by: Ebenezer Osei Kofi Bimpong. X @osei_gedo
HIGHLIFE GURU LUCKY MENSAH IS CLOSE IN ON CAF LICENSED D COACHING BADGE
Lucky Mensah dominated the highlife scene with his soothing voice and affable personality years ago. The come back hit maker dabbled in politics for a while. Since then a lot has not been heard from his camp.
The last time the media caught up with him he opened up on his football academy which seemed to doing well. Lucky Mensah has now turn his attention to coaching. Football has always been a part of his life aside music. His decision to chase a coaching license after all these years attest to how deeply he is connected to football.
Following successful completion of the coaching course held at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence in Prampram, we are proud to say Lucky Mensah is set to be officially recognised as a CAF Licensed D holder. The sky is definitely the limit for the veteran musician.
Story by: Ebenezer Osei Kofi Bimpong. X @osei_gedo
Bayern edge ahead of Real Madrid in the race for Florian Wirtz
While the numbers don’t add up at the Bernabéu, the Germans are willing to go all out for the Leverkusen star. Xabi is key to his future.
Florian Wirtz’s future remains one of the biggest unknowns in the transfer market. Although the Bayer Leverkusen star has a contract until 2027, his possible departure in 2025 has sparked interest from several of Europe’s most powerful clubs.
Among them, Real Madrid, who had been considered Bayern Munich’s main rival in the fight for the Germany international. But the Spanish giants have fallen off the pace according to The Athletic: Leverkusen are demanding more than 100 million euros (around 1.05 million dollars) for the 21-year-old striker – a figure that considerably complicates the Madrid’s aspirations.
Wirtz fee exceeds Madrid’s budget
But in spite of rumours that Real Madrid may have withdrawn from the race, their interest in Wirtz persists, especially considering that the player’s own wishes will also play an important role in where he moves next.
In addition to that, there is always the possibility that Xabi Alonso could return to his old club to take over the reins from Carlo Ancelotti next year. As Carletto’s successor, Xabi would be key in negotiations to land for Wirtz, who has been decisive for Leverkusen under the Basque coach. The only other obstacle would be Wirtz’s fee and whether the Spanish club would be willing to pay it.
Bayern’s plan to make space for Wirtz
Meanwhile, Bayern are not letting their guard down and plan to make a significant effort to unite Wirtz with his friend Jamal Musiala, forming the “Wusiala” duo that is causing so much talk in the German national team.
The plan of the always solvent Germans would involve offloading at least one of the squad’s top earners – such as Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry or Leroy Sané, in order to be able to bring in Wirtz and keep their books balanced.
However, despite the fact that the numbers do not add up a priori, Real Madrid will continue to keep a close eye on a player who is very popular at the White House.
Story by: Ebenezer Osei Kofi Bimpong.
AhotorSports, X @osei_gedo
