The Bundesliga season kicks off Friday with a showpiece event, a tradition dating back to 2002 that typically features the defending champions at home. This year, Bayern Munich hosts RB Leipzig, marking the first time the Allianz Arena has staged the opener since 2020. The match follows Bayern’s 2-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the Super Cup and comes amid the city’s festive preparations for Oktoberfest.
Despite the positive start, significant pressure looms over the club, particularly on second-year coach Vincent Kompany and sporting CEO Max Eberl.
Kompany, a surprise appointment after being relegated from the Premier League with Burnley, led Bayern to the Bundesliga title by 13 points last season, scoring an impressive 99 league goals. However, the season was marred by an early DFB-Pokal exit and a disappointing Champions League quarterfinal defeat to Inter Milan. Crucially, he implemented an attacking, high-pressing style of play more aligned with the club’s identity than that of his predecessor, Thomas Tuchel, though defensive frailties remain a concern.
Eberl faces immense scrutiny in his role, navigating short-term demands while under the constant influence of honorary president Uli Hoeneß. This summer’s transfer dealings have been mixed. Long-serving attackers Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman have departed, while the €75 million signing of 28-year-old winger Luis Díaz from Liverpool has raised questions. Like the acquisition of Harry Kane, Díaz is seen as a solution for the present rather than part of a sustainable, long-term transfer strategy.
The squad’s lack of depth is a pressing concern, highlighted by Harry Kane’s recent observation that it is the smallest he has been a part of in his professional career. This issue has been compounded by a significant injury to star playmaker Jamal Musiala, who is expected to miss a large portion of the season’s first half.
The club is actively seeking a replacement, with Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku a primary target. However, a disagreement has reportedly emerged, with Hoeneß favouring a loan deal while Eberl pushes for a permanent signing. Internally, Serge Gnabry and Michael Olise have been tasked with filling the creative void, but Kompany has shown reluctance to give extended minutes to promising youth players like 17-year-old Lennart Karl.
On a more positive note, the defense has been bolstered by the arrival of Jonathan Tah, arguably the league’s top defender last season, and midfielder Aleksandar Pavlović has returned from injury. Still, with limited creative options in Musiala’s absence, Kompany’s revamped squad faces its first major test against Leipzig on Friday, a match that will offer early insight into whether Bayern is equipped to meet its lofty expectations.
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