Intriguing battles as Bayern face Leipzig

Goalkeepers

Bayern may have lost the incomparable Thomas Müller during the off-season, but they can still rely on Manuel Neuer’s wealth of experience and influence. The captain is now entering his 15th season at the club after winning his 12th Bundesliga title last term, and his Man of the Match display in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup victory over VfB Stuttgart suggests there is plenty of life in the 39-year-old yet.

Watch: Neuer the main man at Supercup

At Leipzig, Péter Gulácsi plays a similar role. As part of a squad often filled with some of the brightest young talent around, the Hungarian has been one of the few constants. It was another strong campaign for the 35-year-old in 2024/25 as he kept 14 clean sheets in 30 matches. It's already been confirmed that he will remain first choice ahead of Maarten Vandevoordt. 

Defence

In front of him, Gulácsi can call upon compatriot Willi Orbán at the heart of the back four. Although he has handed over the captaincy to David Raum, Orbán remains a rock for the Saxony outfit and will provide an example in leadership and performance for likes of El Chadaille Bitshiabu and Castello Lukeba next to him.

Regarding the change of captaincy, new head coach Ole Werner said, “We're in a phase of change and want to have more players in charge. David is predestined for the role."

At Bayern, meanwhile, Jonathan Tah joins as a former Bundesliga champion who, after years of progression at Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen, has developed into one of the country’s leading centre-backs.

He has already impressed in the Supercup alongside Dayot Upamecano, and in Konrad Laimer and one of Josip Stanišić and Raphaël Guerreiro, Vincent Kompany has two hard workers at his disposal either side of that duo who are important contributors both offensively and defensively.

Watch: Bayern Munich unveil Jonathan Tah

Midfield

While new arrival Tom Bischof and youth academy product Aleksandar Pavlović represent the long-term future of Bayern’s midfield, Joshua Kimmich remains the embodiment of how Kompany wants his team to play. No midfielder managed a higher pass completion rate than his 92.89 percent in 2024/25, and only Mainz’s Kaishu Sano covered more ground than the Germany captain (390.4 km).

Although Xavi Simons’ Leipzig future is up in the air – sporting director Marcel Schäfer recently addressed the speculation, saying, “A transfer will only happen if it makes sporting and financial sense. If that’s not the case, Xavi will be an RB Leipzig player next year as well.” – he is expected to feature against the Bavarians.

That is a considerable boost for Werner, given the Dutchman managed 10 strikes and seven assists in 25 games last term, making him the team’s second biggest source of goal contributions behind Benjamin Šeško. If anyone can break down Bayern, it is the 22-year-old.

Watch: The best of Xavi

Attack

Harry Kane's clinical finishing has been such a regular feature since he joined in 2023 that it is easy to take it for granted. However, Michael Olise’s addition to the front line last term gave Bayern an extra dimension. 

The 2024 Olympic silver medallist scored 12 goals of his own and created a league-high 15 others, winning the Rookie of the Season award in the process. The acquisition of Luis Díaz only adds to Bayern’s forward threat, and the Colombian showed signs of what it is to come with a goal in the Supercup triumph.

Watch: How will Luis Díaz fit in at Bayern?

There is a Šeško-sized hole at Leipzig after his transfer to Manchester United. Brazilian Rômulo, signed from Göztepe after 17 goals in 33 games last season, is the man tasked with replacing him. Doing so efficiently will be difficult, and Leipzig will hope Loïs Openda can show him the ropes by rediscovering the form that saw him score 24 times in the 2023/24 Bundesliga.

The coaches

Kompany needed just one season to bring the Meisterschale back to Bavaria. A 31-point swing saw Bayern triumph by 13 points over Leverkusen after having trailed by 18 in 2023/24.

Despite the pressures that come with the Munich job, the Belgian navigated the campaign magnificently, introducing a free-flowing style of football that produced 99 goals. His task this season is to nurture even more dominance and challenge on all three fronts, and the Leipzig clash provides him with the perfect opportunity to make an early statement.

Watch: Bayern's best moments in 2024/25 

At the Red Bull Arena, Zsolt Lőw has been replaced by ex-Werder Bremen boss Werner. His time with the Werderaner was one of constant improvement, as he followed up promotion back to the top flight in his first season with 13th, ninth and eighth-placed finishes.

His side ended up just one position behind Leipzig in 2024/25, which was the Die Roten Bullen’s worst finish since their rise to the top flight in 2016. He has plenty of work to do to return Leipzig to the top four, and there is no tougher test of his credentials than a visit to the champions.

With plenty of new faces and seasoned stars primed to make their mark, all eyes will be on the Allianz Arena for a showdown that could ignite the season.