Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany embracing ‘good pressure’ ahead of DFB-Pokal tilt vs. Union Berlin

When Union Berlin battled to a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in November, it seemed to expose the Bavarians a bit.

Since then, Bayern Munich just has not been as dominant.

Now, in the DFB-Pokal, the Bavarians get a chance to exact a little revenge against Union Berlin and head coach Vincent Kompany will be looking to build off the positives he saw in the final five minutes a month ago against the Iron Ones.

“What we showed in the last five minutes against Union, we can do again tomorrow. We did that now against St. Pauli as well. It’s a knockout game against a physically strong team. Union will be hoping they’ll have that moment again. But we definitely want to win and advance,” said Kompany (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “It’s good pressure. At the end of the season, we’d like to have this pressure again, even more. We want to put in a good performance and win – we’re prepared for anything, for 90 minutes or another 30. It’s positive pressure. Of course I want to return to Berlin [for the final] after the game. You can always say you want to win everything – but it takes work and attitude. If we show tomorrow how hungry we are for the final, then we have a good chance.”

One thing that Kompany will be looking to avoid is conceding first for the fifth game in a row.

“We started the season by scoring three goals in the first twenty minutes. It was to be expected that would change. But going behind is something we’re working on, putting a greater focus on. I still think it’s normal circumstances, but if it starts to become a pattern, we’ll have to work on breaking through that. But the last twenty games we’ve usually led 3-0 after 20 minutes; that’s been the case much more often,” said Kompany.

As far as the personnel situation goes, Kompany said things are promising.

“It’s looking good. Everyone who was available against St. Pauli is ready for tomorrow. Alphonso Davies is close to making his comeback, but not for tomorrow yet,” Kompany said.

With a full boat, Bayern Munich should be be able to select its most fit and most effective weapons in its attempt to survive and advance to the next round of the DFB-Pokal.

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