Bayern Munich Suffers Defeat Against Bochum: No Excuses from Kompany

Vincent Kompany did not seek to make any excuses following his first home defeat as Bayern Munich’s coach in the Bundesliga. After the match, which ended 3-2 in favor of VfL Bochum, he stated, „Even with ten men, we must have the expectation of at least not losing.“ He added that he was indifferent to the fact that title rival Bayer Leverkusen also lost at home, maintaining their eight-point lead.

Rotation and Key Incident

The Munich team, which underwent a questionable rotation by Kompany between significant Champions League matches against Bayer Leverkusen, has fallen out of its successful rhythm. A red card shown to midfielder João Palhinha for a rough tackle on VfL player Georgios Masouras in the 43rd minute proved to be a pivotal moment in the match. Bayern’s sports director, Max Eberl, described the incident as a „maximally unfortunate situation.“

Upcoming Challenges

Bayern cannot dwell on this defeat for long, as they face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League round of 16 return leg on Tuesday at 21:00, where they are considered clear favorites despite the setback against Bochum.

Match Highlights

The Munich reserve team, led by captain Thomas Müller, initially seemed on track for victory after two goals from makeshift striker Raphaël Guerreiro in the 14th and 28th minutes. However, the game shifted dramatically following a goal from Bochum’s defender Javko Medic in the 31st minute, followed by Palhinha’s sending-off. Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, Bochum managed to equalize through Ibrahima Sissoko’s header in the 51st minute, and Matu Bero secured the win with a left-footed shot in the 71st minute.

VfL coach Dieter Hecking expressed his joy, stating, „Winning 3-2 in Munich is a moment of bliss for us.“ The team, currently 15th in the relegation battle, sees these three points as crucial. Goalkeeper Timo Horn described the victory as „a moment for eternity.“

Young Goalkeeper and Missed Opportunities

Youngster Jonas Urbig, filling in for the injured captain Manuel Neuer, bore no responsibility for Bayern’s first home loss since a 0-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund nearly a year ago. The 21-year-old performed well, even preventing a potential 2-4 goal from Bero.

Kompany’s Strategy Backfires

Kompany’s strategy to rest ten players, except for Leon Goretzka, just days before the crucial match against Leverkusen was derailed by Palhinha’s reckless red card. After Guerreiro missed a chance for his third goal in the 58th minute, Kompany had to make changes, bringing on Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, and Konrad Laimer in a quadruple substitution. Prior to Bochum’s winning goal, Bayern vehemently appealed for a penalty when Kane fell in the box, but the referee did not award it, allowing Bochum to counter successfully. Horn later made a crucial save against Musiala.

Gnabry’s Missed Penalty

Serge Gnabry had a frustrating game, missing a penalty in the 21st minute when he hit the post in Kane’s absence. He later had a goal disallowed for offside in the 38th minute.

Hecking identified three key moments that contributed to Bochum’s victory: the missed penalty, the 1-2 scoreline, and the red card, which boosted their confidence.

Fan Support and Respectful Silence

Prior to kickoff, Bayern fans showcased a choreography celebrating the club’s 125th anniversary, captivating the entire stadium. However, the atmosphere turned somber later due to a medical emergency that required a person to be transported to the hospital, leading supporters in the south curve to refrain from loud cheering out of respect.