It’s surprising, but after their 2020 treble, FC Bayern went five seasons without reaching a final. They came up short in both the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League, failing in all ten attempts. The Bavarians were even humiliated by 1. FC Saarbrücken and outclassed by Manchester City.
Getty Images SportBayern Munich’s 2–0 DFB-Pokal semi-final win over Bayer Leverkusen ended their longest final drought since the early 1990s. And their ambitions do not stop there: this already-crowned Bundesliga champion is equally capable of overcoming Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final and then winning two trophies in as many weeks. This FC Bayern side possesses all the ingredients required for a treble—on and off the pitch.
Getty Images SportFC Bayern: A well-functioning spine, smart workload management
Manager Vincent Kompany has instilled a system that works against opponents of all calibres, built on possession, pressing and man-marking. He has also established a well-drilled starting XI with a clear spine. While Serge Gnabry’s absence is frustrating, Jamal Musiala is the perfect replacement and is hitting form at just the right time.
Beyond that, Munich have largely avoided major injury issues during the busy mid-season period. Lennart Karl and Tom Bischof are expected back soon, and the entire first-team squad—save for Gnabry—is fit and looks fresh thanks to Kompany’s shrewd workload management. Consistency is the norm, with only the occasional dip in form. In the semi-final win over Leverkusen, Bayern fielded a unit that moved as one.
Striker Harry Kane netted yet another goal, this time following a spectacular interchange involving Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala and Luis Diaz. Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah anchored a solid back line, while full-backs Josip Stanisic and Konrad Laimer quietly excelled. In the engine room, Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic controlled possession with authority. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was largely a spectator in Leverkusen yet still produced a brilliant save midway through the second half.
AFPIt’s unusually quiet at FC Bayern these days.
Just as the starting XI is delivering, so is FC Bayern’s bench. Kompany’s substitutes keep making an impact: this time Leon Goretzka assisted Diaz’s goal to make it 2–0. Alphonso Davies, in particular, is a standout thanks to his pace, while Nicolas Jackson’s minutes-to-goal ratio is impressive. Perhaps most crucially, none of the subs are causing trouble or complaining.
Kompany has ensured every squad member accepts their role and feels valued. The 40-year-old Belgian shines both as a tactician and a communicator, and thanks in part to his measured public relations work, the normally bustling Munich scene is currently calmer than it has been for a long time. Manuel Neuer periodically states that he will soon decide on his future, but even that counts as major off-field drama these days.
Four matches remain before Bayern can secure a third treble in the club’s history, and the bookmakers rightly rate them as favourites in both the Champions League and DFB-Pokal.
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