Kompany: Bayern won't make things easier for Hoffenheim
Munich coach Vincent Kompany gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Moenchengladblach at Allianz Arena. Tom Weller/dpa
Bayern Munich have clinched the Bundesliga title in advance, but coach Vincent Kompany stressed that his team won't make things easier for Hoffenheim in the final matchday of the season.
"We've won the title with lots of hard work and can't give any opponents the gift of allowing them a good afternoon against us," Kompany said in a news conference.
Advertisement
Hoffenheim are not fully safe from possible relegation. They are three points ahead of Heidenheim in the relegation play-off spot and have a superior goal difference of six.
Kompany gave the squad a few days days off after the game against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday and some Bayern players have reportedly taken a trip to the Spanish holiday island of Ibiza.
Thomas Müller, Harry Kane and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer were among 13 players who according to the Bild paper had made the trip on Sunday, after receiving the trophy for the Bundesliga title the previous day.
The trip was widely criticized because the season is not over yet, but Kompany said "that was a subject for the media."
Advertisement
"The subject for me was Hoffenheim and preparing for the game. We've now had the whole week to prepare for this game. We've had a lot of time to prepare. We've had a good week," he said.
Bayern players had already planned an Ibiza trip after clinching the title some two weeks ago, but that was stopped by the club because it would set a bad example with the league still in progress.
Bayern will officially celebrate the title next Sunday on the Munich city hall balcony - together with the women's team which has clinched a first ever German league and cup double this season.
"We're really excited. It was our big goal to bring the Bundesliga back to Munich," Kompany said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trent Alexander-Arnold told he's still nowhere near as good as 35-year-old RB
England manager Thomas Tuchel has been told that Kyle Walker remains a better all-round player than former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, as the Three Lions prepare to face Finland and Senegal over the next few days. Advertisement England has been blessed with top-quality right-backs in recent times, with Walker, 35, and Alexander-Arnold also facing competition from Chelsea's Reece James. Walker's club career took an unexpected turn this year, as he was sent to AC Milan on loan for the second half of the season — after reportedly being snubbed by Real Madrid — following a disappointing start to the campaign. Although Madrid wasn't keen on Walker, Alexander-Arnold has found a place on the Spanish team's roster. Liverpool acted quickly to replace him with Jeremie Frimpong, and the right-back's former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz could also join the Reds. READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Rayan Cherki decision, Florian Wirtz 'confirms' deal, Kerkez medical READ MORE: Liverpool transfer target 'says yes' to Reds in record-breaking deal Advertisement Walker started just 11 games for Milan but was still named in the England squad for the World Cup qualifier against Finland as well as next week's friendly against Senegal. Former England winger Chris Waddle suggested that Walker should get the nod. "It's a really strange one," Waddle said of Walker's current career situation while speaking to "He's been in and out of the team at Milan. "It was a good move to go there, and when I watch him play he clearly has the pace to deal with the top-level stuff, but he's still been an inconsistent starter. Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold are among England's best right-backs "Now, that might be because he doesn't fit their tactics right now, or because they just played so many games, but even if it was a sensible move to make at the time, it hasn't quite gone as he'd have hoped. Advertisement "At the same time, it's hard to name a better English right-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold can be exceptional but he's not outstanding as a true defender. "He's got his talents, there's no denying it, with exceptional passing and dead-ball delivery, but if it's him or Walker, we're not blessed in that position for a young right-back who does what you expect. I think Kyle is the pick of the two right now, his all-round game puts him ahead of the rest." Alexander-Arnold's move from Liverpool to Real Madrid was confirmed at the end of May, with the Spanish club paying the Reds an $11 million transfer fee — despite the player's Liverpool contract being due to expire just a few weeks later. That's because Madrid wanted Alexander-Arnold to be part of Xabi Alonso's squad for the start of the Club World Cup, which gets under way in the middle of June. Madrid could have waited until July 1 to sign Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer, and he would have been eligible to play in Los Blancos' remaining games in the tournament, but the Spanish giant was keen for the player to have a period of integration in the weeks building up to the revamped event.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bundesliga club to hold pre-season in Brazil, friendly match planned
Bayer Leverkusen announced on Friday (6) that it will come to Brazil to carry out part of its pre-season in Rio de Janeiro. Champion of the Bundesliga in the 2023/24 season, the club revealed that it plans to play a friendly match during its passage through the country between July 14 and 24. Advertisement The club has not yet pointed out who the match will be against, but said in a statement that it will have a "top-level opponent". Other information such as the location and date of the friendly match have also not been disclosed. During its stay in Rio de Janeiro, Leverkusen will train at Ninho do Urubu, Flamengo's training center, For Flamengo, this visit is a great opportunity to bring together two global brands, rubro-negras, that play modern and engaging football Luiz Eduardo Baptista, president of Flamengo This preparation phase in Brazil will be the highlight of our various initiatives in the Brazilian market, being a unique project in the Bundesliga Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer Leverkusen This will be the first time a Bundesliga team will hold its pre-season in South America. Former Brazilian players who wore the Leverkusen jersey will also participate in activities during the team's passage through Rio de Janeiro. Advertisement Since 1987, more than 20 Brazilians have worn the club's jersey, including Paulo Sérgio, Emerson, Lúcio, Jorginho, Zé Roberto, Wendell, Juan, and Renato Augusto. Currently, full-back Arthur is the only athlete born in Brazil who is part of Leverkusen's squad. Leverkusen will be the second Bundesliga team to pass through Brazil in 2025. In late May, Leipzig came to the country shortly after the end of the season. The delegation passed through the state of São Paulo, where it carried out activities with the press and the local community, in addition to playing a friendly match against Santos. Advertisement The German club took advantage of the structure of Red Bull Bragantino, since the two clubs are managed by the same company. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund - team news, lineups, predictions
Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund go head-to-head at BayArena this Sunday in the 1. Bundesliga. The match will be broadcast live at 14:30 on Sky Sports +. Bayer Leverkusen have 68 points to their name this season and occupy 2nd position in the table. In their last game, Xabi Alonso's team drew 2-2 with SC Freiburg (1. Bundesliga 2024/25). Advertisement Borussia Dortmund currently have 51 points and lie in 5th position. Last time out, Niko Kovac's team triumphed 4-0 against Wolfsburg (1. Bundesliga 2024/25). The last meeting between the two teams ended with Bayer Leverkusen winning 3-2. Unavailable Bayer Leverkusen Jeanuël Belocian - Cruciate Ligament Tear Nordi Mukiele - Torn Muscle Fiber Alejo Sarco - Torn Muscle Fiber Borussia Dortmund Maximilian Beier - Ankle Injury Last starting XIs Bayer Leverkusen ( vs SC Freiburg 2025-05-04): Matej Kovár, Jeremie Frimpong, Piero Hincapié, Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba, Álex Grimaldo, Granit Xhaka, Florian Wirtz, Emiliano Buendía, Aleix García, Patrik Schick Borussia Dortmund ( vs Wolfsburg 2025-05-03): Gregor Kobel, Julian Ryerson, Waldemar Anton, Niklas Sule, Ramy Bensebaini, Daniel Svensson, Felix Nmecha, Julian Brandt, Pascal Gross, Serhou Guirassy, Jamie Gittens Did you know... by playmaker stats MANAGERS Xabi Alonso faced Niko Kovac on four occasions, recording two wins and two draws Niko Kovac faced Bayer Leverkusen on 11 occasions, recording two wins, two draws, and seven losses Xabi Alonso faced Borussia Dortmund on four occasions, recording one win, two draws, and one loss TEAMS Away from home, Borussia Dortmund currently has one draw in the last 14 games. Away from home, Borussia Dortmund comes from six consecutive games conceding goals. Away from home, Borussia Dortmund comes from two consecutive games without losing. Borussia Dortmund currently has one defeat in the last eight games. Borussia Dortmund currently has one draw in the last 11 games. Borussia Dortmund comes from five consecutive games scoring goals. Borussia Dortmund comes from five consecutive games without losing. Borussia Dortmund comes from four consecutive victories. At home, Bayer Leverkusen currently has two defeats in the last 22 games. At home, Bayer Leverkusen comes from three consecutive games without losing. Bayer Leverkusen currently has one defeat in the last eight games. Bayer Leverkusen comes from three consecutive games scoring goals. Bayer Leverkusen comes from five consecutive games without losing. HEAD TO HEAD
