The decisive phase of the season begins for Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, when the German champions travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie.
With the second leg scheduled in Munich next week, Vincent Kompany’s side know that a positive result in Italy could provide a crucial foundation in their quest for the final in Budapest on May 30.
Bayern arrives in top form and with confidence on the surface. They have won their last six matches in all competitions with a combined goal difference of 20-6, while their domestic campaign appears firmly under control.
An eleven-point lead in the Bundesliga and a place in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals suggest that the Bavarians have efficiently handled their early-season goals. However, there is a clear understanding that the upcoming games will define the season.
Standing in their way is an Atalanta team that has earned a reputation for intensity, aggressiveness and tactical bravery.
Kompany acknowledged that the Italian club presents a unique challenge, particularly with its relentless pressing and man-to-man style all over the pitch.
The Belgian explained that his players have been carefully prepared for the tactical patterns they are likely to face in Bergamo, highlighting both the structural similarities with other opponents and the distinctive pressure Atalanta applies when defending.
“Tomorrow we will play against a physically strong team,” Kompany said when talking about the upcoming test.
“There are similarities to the game at Dortmund in terms of their back-three build-up and the deep runs of the wide players. But what makes Atalanta special is the pressure they apply. They go man-to-man all over the pitch, and they’ve been doing it for years, which has been a big part of their success.”
While Bayern are widely seen as favorites in both matches, Kompany insisted his team cannot afford to be complacent. La Dea have repeatedly proven to be a difficult opponent for German teams in recent years, including a convincing European triumph over Bayer 04 Leverkusen not long ago.
“I don’t think we can have prejudices about this match,” continued the Belgian coach. “When I look at Atalanta’s level of performance in Europe, I see a lot of quality and a very well-trained team. It was also a difficult match for Dortmund and Frankfurt. So for us it is a very interesting match, but also very difficult.”
Bayern’s preparations have been complicated by the absence of captain Manuel Neuer, who suffered another muscle injury during the recent victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. The veteran goalkeeper will miss the trip to Italy, leaving Jonas Urbig to start between the posts in one of the most important games of his young career.
Kompany, however, played down the idea that the tie depends solely on the goalkeeper’s situation and emphasized that Bayern’s collective performance will be much more important.
“These knockout matches are important for his development,” Kompany said of Urbig. “But he already has some experience. Last year in this round we did very well against a very strong Leverkusen with Jonas in goal. Still, I always say the same thing. Tomorrow is not about Jonas, it is about the overall performance of our team.”
Defender Josip Stanišić echoed that sentiment when speaking to the media, insisting that Bayern’s approach will not change simply because there is a different goalkeeper starting.
The Croatian international highlighted Urbig’s progress over the last year and a half and expressed full confidence in the young goalkeeper’s ability to intervene.
“Jonas is an exceptional footballer and also a very good goalkeeper,” explained Stanišić. “We’ve seen him for the last year and a half, and recently he’s taken a big step. For us as a team, nothing really changes. Maybe we should ask the opponents if they approach the goal differently when they see Manuel Neuer or Jonas Urbig, but for us it’s the same.”
Beyond the goalkeeping situation, Bayern are also cautiously optimistic about the physical condition of Harry Kane, who returned to training before the trip to Italy. Kompany confirmed that the forward will travel with the team, although the final decision on his participation will be made closer to kick-off.
“He came out of training very well today,” Kompany said. “Now we have to decide what is best for tomorrow. The important thing is that he is with the team and can play a role in the game.”
Even with Bayern’s offensive firepower, including Kane alongside Michael Olise and Luis Diaz, the players are fully aware that Atalanta’s aggressive style could make Tuesday’s match a demanding battle.
Stanišić emphasized that the Italian team’s identity is based on relentless intensity and physical duels, something that Bayern must be prepared to match from the opening whistle.
“The first thing that defines them is their aggressiveness from the first second,” he said. “They never stop and every duel is played one hundred percent. That’s something we have to face.”
For Kompany, however, the start of the Champions League knockout rounds is less about pressure and more about opportunity. As the decisive weeks of the season begin, the Bayern coach is eager to see his team seize the moment rather than fear it.
“I have never experienced this phase as pressure,” he said. “What I love is that now you have a chance. We worked hard to get to this point and now we have the opportunity to do something special. We want to pass and we want to win.”
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