Kompany Targets Champions League Top Eight Finish Despite Recent Setbacks For Bayern Munich

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Vincent Kompany is determined to secure a top-eight finish in the new Champions League format with Bayern Munich, despite recent setbacks. Bayern will host Benfica at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, aiming to bounce back from losses to Aston Villa and Barcelona. These defeats mark the first time since April 2017 that Bayern has failed to win consecutive games in this competition.

Bayern's Champions League journey began with a commanding 9-2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb. However, they have since slipped to 23rd place in the league table after three matches. In contrast, their Bundesliga performance has been strong, leading the table by three points after nine games. "What we know is you have to win around six (of eight) games to reach the top eight," Kompany stated.

Kompany emphasised that winning three more games should secure a playoff spot. His primary aim is reaching the top eight. Despite their current struggles, Bayern remains confident about their European prospects, especially given their impressive record against Benfica. They have faced Benfica 12 times in major European competitions without a single loss (nine wins and three draws).

The last time Bayern failed to progress beyond the Champions League group stage was in the 2002-03 season. That year, they finished at the bottom of a group featuring Deportivo La Coruna, Lens, and Milan. Kompany mentioned that the new format does not influence their planning significantly. "I don't want to think too far ahead because we have enough games," he said.

Kompany stressed that his immediate focus is on defeating Benfica at home rather than speculating about future outcomes. "We have to win against Benfica," he said. "I don't want to spend too much time thinking about what could happen in January." The team's goal is clear: securing a victory in their upcoming match.

Benfica presents a formidable challenge, having already defeated Atletico Madrid and Red Star Belgrade this season. However, they recently suffered a defeat against Feyenoord. Kompany remains confident in his team's ability to adapt and succeed without making drastic changes. "We have a lot of confidence going into this game," he noted.

Bayern Munich aims to regain momentum in their European campaign by capitalising on their strong track record against Benfica. With Kompany's leadership and strategic focus on immediate victories, they hope to navigate through this challenging phase successfully and achieve their Champions League aspirations.