Kompany confident Bayern can answer critics against Leipzig

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany says his side are “sharp and motivated” and believes they are close to producing their best football despite being held to draws in their past two matches.

Bayern were held 2-2 by Augsburg before conceding a late equaliser in a surprising 3-3 draw with Viking in the Champions League on Tuesday. Defensive errors and missed chances threatened to cost the German champions in both games, forcing them to fight back each time.

Despite those results, Kompany believes Bayern’s performances have been better than the results suggest, highlighting their attacking output as evidence that the team is progressing.

“We want to attack,” Kompany said. “We have the feeling that there are a lot of things behind the perception of these two results. I have the feeling it is just before we show our very best version.”

Bayern attempted 50 shots across the two matches, according to Kompany, who feels only small improvements are needed for his side to rediscover their best form.

“In the last two matches we shot 50 times on goal. If we do a few things better then we are not too far from our very best version,” he added.

Bayern sit third in the Bundesliga, two points behind joint leaders Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund. Their meeting with RB Leipzig on Saturday gives them the chance to respond to the recent setbacks and regain momentum.

A demanding sequence of fixtures will follow. Bayern face Arsenal in the Champions League and Freiburg in the Bundesliga, while a German Cup second-round tie against Magdeburg comes before their meeting with Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker on October 31.

Kompany believes the schedule provides an opportunity for Bayern to test themselves against high-quality opposition rather than something to fear.

“These moments that some people think might be difficult we say these are the best moments you can have in your career. If you win these matches then you have created some moments,” he said.

“We are sharp and motivated. We look forward to these matches to measure ourselves against the best.”

The Bayern manager also praised the players’ approach during training and said they are prepared to respond on the pitch.

“The lads reach the limit in every training session and it is fun to watch. They know it is now best to talk on the pitch.”