MÜNCHEN (dpa-AFX) - For coach Vincent Kompany, Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac's early concession in the Bundesliga title race changes nothing about FC Bayern's hunger for more victories, goals, and records. "We want to live in this tunnel," Kompany said ahead of the first half's final match on Wednesday (8:30 p.m./Sky) at 1. FC Köln. "I don't want to give anything away. That is a huge motivation," the Belgian announced.

Former Bayern coach Kovac, noting the record champions' exceptional status this season and BVB's eleven-point deficit to the runaway leaders, stated: "That we can't challenge Bayern, I think everyone can see that. This team, this squad already has an extra level of quality that is currently not seen elsewhere in the Bundesliga."

"The Title Is Not Decided Yet"

"What others say, we can't influence," responded Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund to the remarks from Dortmund. "We have to focus on ourselves. We're in good shape. So far, we're playing a really good season. But we also know that the title is not decided yet. We've built a very good foundation. But we have to keep going."

Three days after the 8-1 gala against VfL Wolfsburg, Bayern could finish the best first half of a Bundesliga season in history with a win in Köln. The record stands at 47 points and a plus-35 goal difference from the 2013/14 season under Pep Guardiola. The Kompany-Bayern side enter matchday 17 with 44 points and a plus-51 goal difference.

At 39, Kompany could surpass his long-time coach Guardiola in his second year at Bayern. But when compared with the Spanish star coach, who won the Champions League three times, student Kompany waved off: "I can't compare myself to a coach like Pep. That's impossible. That's a lost battle from the beginning."

Nevertheless, the league record is naturally a target. And Kompany travels to Köln with a good feeling, where Bayern won 4-1 in the DFB Cup at the end of October. "The guys are hungry for goals," he said, referring to the desire in his team featuring top strikers Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Luis Díaz.

Still Without Kimmich and Musiala in Köln

A comeback for national team players Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala will not happen in Köln. "For this match, it's still too early," said Kompany. Also missing are Josip Stanisic, who injured his ankle against Wolfsburg, as well as Alphonso Davies, Sacha Boey (ill), and Nicolas Jackson (Africa Cup)./kbe/DP/zb