How Dayot Upamecano transformed into Bayern Munich’s Mr. Reliable
Dayot Upamecano has been a pillar of strength and composure in Bayern Munich’s rearguard this campaign, playing a key role as Vincent Kompany’s side have opened up an eight-point gap at the top of the Bundesliga.
Seldom seen as a guaranteed starter in previous seasons, the Frenchman’s imperious performances this term have made him virtually undroppable as Bayern seek to regain their crown from Bayer Leverkusen.
Upamecano has made 19 Bundesliga appearances, all starts, from a possible 22 so far. Of the three games he’s missed, two were through injury and suspension. Indeed, Upamecano only needs to play another 97 minutes before he surpasses his total game time from last campaign, when he was used sparingly by outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel tended to favour Matthijs de Ligt and Eric Dier at the back. Kompany, however, has settled on a different central defensive pairing, with Upamecano usually partnering Minjae Kim. The reasons for selecitng Upamecano alongside the South Korean have been clear, as Bayern have conceded a league-low 19 goals so far this campaign (eight fewer than next-best Leverkusen).
While that’s down to a team effort, Upamecano has more than played his part. The 26-year-old ranks in the top 10 across Germany’s top flight for possession won, having upped his game considerably under defensive great Kompany.
Upamecano has won 63 percent of his duels this term (up from 59 percent last year), winning 18 per 90 minutes on average (up from 16). It’s in the air where he’s made his greatest leap, however. Before this season, Upamecano was winning around 60 percent of his aerial duels. That figure is now 67 percent. Key figures at the club are impressed.
“Dayot is on a really good path,” said Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund recently. ”He has become a leader. He plays strongly and consistently at a high level."
Upamecano has credited Kompany, who arrived last summer, as one of the key reasons for his upturn in form. "I'm very happy with the new coach,” he said back in October. “Vincent played in my position. He does a lot of video analysis with us defenders, he helps us a lot. I have built my confidence this season and will give it my all for him."
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"When we’re out on the pitch, he will often correct my positioning," continues Upamecano. "And encourage me to be more vocal as I am a leader in the team. I've learned a lot from him as a coach.
"I used to watch him at Man City when I was growing up and I saw how he used to play himself. I've learned a lot, but I don’t think that will ever end – I still have a lot to learn. I'm very happy that he is here."
Kompany was feted as much for his destructive skills as he was for his ability in possession. His younger charge has now also begun to embody that ideal. Upamecano's successful pass quota of 95.5 per cent is not only the best at the club, but the highest in the entire Bundesliga.
To put it another way, nobody is safer in possession than the Bavarian’s No.2. This, for a player previously associated with the occasional gaffe. "I'm very happy for him because he was always subject to a lot of criticism in the past,” added Freund when singing the player's praises earlier in the season.
While Upamecano's ball retention has climbed, his mistake quota has fallen. The player is yet to give away a penalty this term, having previously given away nine across the past eight seasons (three of those as a Bayern player).
He’s also chipped in with a couple of goals so far, equalling his previous record for a Bundesliga campaign with 12 games still to play.
All of these stats contribute to a feeling that Upamecano has become a leader for his club, and a key reason for their success so far this season.
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