Vincent Kompany looks to keep the focus on FC Heidenheim with UCL second leg against PSG looming

Bayern Munich’s 5-4 loss to Paris Saint Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal clash was just the third loss in all competitions for the Bavarians this season, and yet it could be a devastating blow that helps prevent Bayern from reaching the final of Europe’s biggest competition. Whether this loss will prove so significant will be decided on the coming Wednesday, with the whole footballing world holding their breath in anticipation.

But first, Bayern need to play against the Bundesliga’s last place team in FC Heidenheim, having already sealed the domestic title with a few games to spare. It is only human to be more interested in the all important PSG clash than the one in a league that has already been sealed, but head coach Vincent Kompany and the team are not paid to disregard any football matches.

Advertisement

Furthermore, there has always been a close eye on Bayern in case they take part in the act of Wettbewerbsverzerrung (distortion of the competition) in the Bundesliga by not trying hard enough in the latter games of the season and gifting points where they normally would not. Most of Germany were crowing that this was the case when Bayern were down 3-0 at half-time last weekend against FSV Mainz, only to eat crow when the Bavarians roared back to win the match 4-3.

It is this potential distortion that was addressed in the press conference ahead of the Heidenheim match. When asked how Bayern could influence the relegation battle Heidenheim is very much partaking in, Kompany highlighted that the team still wants to win:

“This was a topic last year too. It’s also a good thing because it means we’ve done our job, but we don’t want to give anyone any gifts,” Kompany emphasized, as captured by @iMiaSanMia. “We showed that in the last game against Mainz. We showed with our mentality that we’re doing everything to be ready. The game against PSG was obviously very intense and the anticipation for the second leg is very high in all of Munich. My job is to keep the focus on Heidenheim, which I’m trying to do every day.”

That focus on the next was evident in the (second half of the) match against Mainz and Kompany will look for the same against the league’s bottom team.

Advertisement

BFW Analysis

Having said all of that, perhaps gifting Heidenheim points to ensure VfL Wolfsburg does relegated might be for the best for everybody. It is worth a thought, considering the Bundesliga could finally shed one of its’ non-50+1 clubs. Right?

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

Click here to read article