Kompany criticizes busy schedule and fears Grimaldo's free kicks

Following the expansion of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, the number of matches top teams play in a single season has increased further. So, it's no wonder a team's schedule dictates it's supposed to play more than two games in a single week.

Bayern Munich were the latest side to feel the "charms" of a busy schedule firsthand, as their derby clash against Bayer Leverkusen today (20.30) marks the beginning of a three-match series they'll play over the next six days.

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Considering that the Bundesliga derby will be followed by the UCL derby against Paris Saint-Germain and a trip to Berlin to face Union, doesn't please the Bavarians' boss, Vincent Kompany.

"There's no more difficult period than having three games in six days, two of them away. It's not ideal, but that doesn't mean we have any other goals," the Belgian said via Kicker.

And today's task will be as challenging as it gets, given that, since Erik ten Hag was sacked and Kasper Hjulmand replaced him on the bench, Lever have won 16 out of the possible 18 points. However, Kompany admitted that he mainly worried about the man who netted four direct free-kick goals this season - Alejandro Grimaldo.

Copenhagen in the UCL, Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga (twice), and Paderborn in the German Cup have all felt the power of the ex-La Masia student's left foot, so Bayern boss knows exactly what his men shouldn't do.

"I hope we don't get any dangerous free kicks, that no silly fouls are committed, and that the goalkeeper helps us in those situations. The only important thing after 90 minutes is that we score one more goal than the opponent; then I'll still be satisfied," Kompany concluded.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 9

Friday

Augsburg - Dortmund 0-1 (0-1)

/Guirassy 37/

Saturday

17.30: (3.75) Heidenheim (3.80) Eintracht Frankfurt (1.92)

17.30: (2.05) Mainz (3.80) Werder (3.60)

17.30: (2.00) RB Leipzig (4.00) Stuttgart (3.60)

17.30: (2.20) St. Pauli (3.60) Monchengladbach (3.40)

17.30: (2.60) Union Berlin (3.15) Freiburg (2.85)

20.30: (1.25) Bayern (7.00) Leverkusen (12.0)

Sunday

17.30: (2.15) Koln (3.60) Hamburger (3.50)

19.30: (2.85) Wolfsburg (3.80) Hoffenheim (2.40)

***odds are subject to change***