Starting with 16 consecutive wins! Kompany’s Bayern, who can stop them?

By Han Bing Despite being down a man in the first half and Kane contributing only one shot while concentrating on defense, Bayern defeated reigning Champions League winners PSG 2-1 away, with Díaz scoring twice before being sent off. This extended their season-opening winning streak to an astonishing 16 games — Kompany, once considered a stopgap choice for Bayern’s coaching role over a year ago, has given fans and the football world a massive shock. When will the Bundesliga giants’ winning run end? What ultimate achievements await them? The suspense continues.

Before the match, the away challenge against PSG was seen as one of Bayern’s toughest tests to maintain their winning streak. Bayern not only needed to erase the humiliation of losing the Club World Cup despite having two more players and goals, but also to use this benchmark to verify the quality of their perfect start. Although their previous 15 wins included dominant performances against seven top-half league teams, the Bundesliga’s challenge is limited. Chelsea, whom they defeated in the Champions League, cannot yet be called a top-tier giant, whereas PSG is entirely different: their commanding performances in the first three Champions League rounds — 4-0 over Atalanta, 2-1 against Barcelona, and 7-2 thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen — prove the true strength of the defending European champions.

Compared to four months ago at the Club World Cup, Bayern’s attack missed Coman and Musiala, but Díaz’s arrival completed Bayern’s “Premier League trident,” significantly boosting their offensive power. Kompany fully demonstrated that the high pressing system he designed for Bayern is no accident behind the 15 consecutive wins. Both of Díaz’s goals originated from their unstoppable high pressing: within four minutes, Pavard’s long pass reached Dembélé; Bayern’s defensive line pushed up to midfield, and Upamecano intercepted and passed to Gnabry, who fed Olise for a one-on-one shot saved, then Díaz scored on the rebound. At the 32nd minute, Kane and Díaz pressured Mac Allister, and Díaz stole the ball near the box to score his second goal.

PSG, already missing European Golden Boy Doku and key defender Zagadou, was plagued by misfortune: Dembélé’s goal at 23 minutes was ruled offside, and he was substituted due to injury two minutes later; during first-half stoppage time, Díaz’s scissor tackle on Achraf left the latter crying and unable to continue. Losing key players before and during the match on both ends hindered PSG from replicating their Club World Cup form. Yet Enrique had few excuses — if not for the post blocking Gnabry’s shot, full-strength PSG might have trailed by three goals at halftime. Bayern’s four shots on target and one post in the first half showed their high pressing completely suppressed PSG and created overwhelming scoring chances.

Victories and dangers both came from Díaz. A reckless foul by the former Liverpool player forced Bayern, who dominated the match, to switch to defense. Fortunately, the 39-year-old captain Neuer was outstanding — earning man of the match with eight saves. Down to ten men in the second half, Bayern shifted into a full positional rotation defense; Kane dropped from striker to defensive midfield and even briefly acted as a defender. Upamecano even played as a winger, pressing high into attack. PSG, with an extra player, took 19 shots in the second half and controlled over 70% possession overall, but Kompany’s tactical rotation and high pressing allowed Bayern to stubbornly maintain the lead, conceding only a consolation goal.

Winning away against the defending Champions League champions while a man down at halftime means more to Kompany and his Bayern than just the 16-match winning streak — it proves “Kompany’s Bayern” now possesses the ability to technically outclass Europe’s elite teams. The Belgian coach’s humility after the 16th consecutive win also reflects how much his personal charm has influenced Bayern’s transformation.

Kompany excels in communication and never publicly criticizes players; Bayern is no longer the “football Hollywood” plagued by internal disputes. More interaction with players and targeted recovery plans have not only unlocked player potential but also fostered a harmonious, united locker room atmosphere. Kompany’s management philosophy is simple: “Football is a game of 11 players, but victory belongs to 23 people who trust each other.” While everyone discusses tactical innovations and players’ form leaps, these stem first and foremost from the dramatic positive change Kompany brought to the team environment.

Kompany’s overhaul of Bayern was not achieved overnight, but from the start, he possessed the elements for success. Unlike several academically trained predecessors, Kompany’s highly successful playing career gave him a natural leadership aura in the locker room. Players grew up watching him lift Premier League trophies at world-class levels, often choosing him in football video games to win matches, which greatly eased Kompany’s conquest of the dressing room and allowed him to establish coaching authority immediately.

His unique upbringing also endowed Kompany with exceptional leadership and organizational skills from his playing days. As a Black immigrant descendant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he grew up in Brussels where Flemish, French, and English coexist, mastering all three languages and quickly integrating into diverse cultural backgrounds. His father Pierre was a politician, and his mother Joseline a union leader, nurturing Kompany’s extraordinary leadership qualities and eloquence from an early age. Facing injury crises, his mother’s death, and his sister’s cancer diagnosis at age 21 when joining Hamburg taught him humility, discipline, and endurance.

Just 17 months ago, when Bayern announced 38-year-old Kompany as head coach, even the most optimistic German media doubted him, since the Belgian coach had failed to keep Burnley in the Premier League. Seventeen months later, Kompany has started the season perfectly with an unbeaten record across all competitions, becoming Bayern’s first coach in 15 years to earn a contract extension.

Kompany’s excellent locker room management and successful technical adjustments to players’ details have been key to Bayern’s great success this match and at the start of the entire season.

He emphasizes offensive direction and mutual support, frequently shifting attacks toward opponents’ weak defensive sides as a key tactical method. Off-ball, players are required to maintain high pressure and intensity upfront, forming a tight unit through high defensive pressing. The first half’s attacking tactics were nearly flawless, while the second half’s defensive strategies also held deadly potential. Besides Kane’s excellent defensive midfield and center-back role, the high defensive line and proactive double center-back pressing allowed Bayern to seize the initiative. Beyond Kane, Kimmich and Laimer have also been inspired to greater potential. Former Bayern president Hoeness even stated Kompany is the “perfect” coach for the German powerhouse.

“No one wins trophies in November; we must stay calm and focus on the next game,” Kompany modestly commented on the team’s record-breaking start for a Big Five league club. Their next two league matches likely won’t pose much difficulty; the next major challenge comes in the Champions League — facing Arsenal, who boast a 10-game winning streak and eight clean sheets, arguably the best defense. Losing Díaz might impact Bayern’s attack, but as Bild noted after the match, “Kompany’s Bayern win not because of a star player but due to his advanced tactics and players capable of switching positions at any time.”