Bayern Munich are preparing for their DFB-Pokal match against VfL Osnabrück with their coach taking an active role. Vincent Kompany personally delivered crosses during Tuesday afternoon's training session at the Säbener Straße facility, appearing in good spirits.
The session took place behind a gray windscreen but was observed by fans and passersby. A small group of players carried out specific exercises on the publicly visible side pitch. This group included 22-year-old Aleksandar Pavlovic, 21-year-old Tom Bischof, and 26-year-old Josip Stanisic. Kompany, the 40-year-old former world-class defender, joined them and kicked balls. The report comes from Bild.
Why is Kompany's appearance notable?
Vincent Kompany rarely participates actively in team training. The reason is an injury he sustained in June 2025 during a training session. His appearance on Tuesday was therefore an exception. "Plötzlich schlägt Kompany selbst die Flanken!", the coach said himself. He was seen smiling and demonstrated he still has great feel for the ball. "The former world-class centre-back (formerly of Anderlecht, Hamburger SV and Manchester City) still has a great touch – and still enjoys having the ball at his feet!", he was quoted as saying.
What is Bayern's form ahead of the cup match?
The Munich side are clear favorites for the match on Wednesday at 20:45. Vincent Kompany's team started the new season with two wins. First, they won the Supercup in Dortmund 2:1. This was followed by a 5:1 home victory against VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. A look at our fixtures page shows the upcoming matches. Their opponents from Osnabrück have earned three points from their first three second-division matches this season.
Which players were in focus?
Alongside established players, Kompany used the session to integrate younger talents. The 18-year-old Bara Sapoko Ndiaye was part of the training. One of the key performers in recent matches has been Michael Olise. The 24-year-old attacker has scored two goals in the matches so far. Our squad page provides a complete overview of the roster. The team also has the experienced 31-year-old forward Serge Gnabry available.
What does the cup mean for the season plan?
The DFB-Pokal is an important target for Bayern Munich at the start of the season. A confident advance to the next round would provide further momentum. The match will be broadcast live on ARD and Sky. For coach Kompany, it would be his first cup success with Bayern, after he won the double in the previous season. The team will travel to Osnabrück for the match on Wednesday evening.
