How do Bayern and Union stack up?

Styles of play

Both of these two sides have started the season strongly, with Bayern sitting joint-top with RB Leipzig on 20 points, while Union sit in fourth just five points behind the Munich men. Vincent Kompany's side are yet to lose domestically this season, while the Berliners have just one defeat to their name so far; at this point last season, the Irons side had lost six of their opening eight games.

So, how have they done it? Well, both sides have adapted their styles of play to make life much more difficult for their opponents. Bayern’s high line and use of an inverted full-back, usually Raphaël Guerreiro, has allowed them to suffocate their opponents off the ball, leading to the quick regaining of the ball and a subsequent dominance of possession. This is reflected in the numbers, which sees them top the charts for the average amount of possession with 65 percent and the quickest ball recovery time (12.1 seconds). This isn’t the only consequence of their new approach, with the shorter route to goal after winning the ball leading them to score 29 goals so far – equalling the Bundesliga record for this point in the season.

Similarly, Union’s transformation under Bo Svensson this season has been clear to see on the pitch, as well as in the statistics. The ex-Mainz boss has made his team more aggressive off the ball, and therefore harder to score against; Union have conceded fewer goals this season (five) than table-toppers Bayern (seveb). They also sit at the top of the table for intensive runs (5,936), chances conceded (four) and second for both duels won (837) and aerial duels won (184).

Watch: Where are Kompany's Bayern better than Pep Guardiola's?

Attacking threat

One of the reasons that Bayern top the table is how clinical they’ve been in front of goal, scoring 29 goals already this season. They’ve managed this feat in 152 shots, creating a shot efficiency of +8.5, another league high. This ability to score goals has been lead by talismanic striker and recent Gerd Müller Trophy winner, Harry Kane; however, he hasn’t done it all by himself, as Bayern have had 10 different scorers already this season.

Kane has certainly contributed his fair share towards those 29 goals, with his nine this season taking him to 45 Bundesliga goals in 40 games, the fastest player ever to that total. He has been helped by new signing Michael Olise, who has five goals in his first eight league games at his new club, making him the most effective midfielder in the league.

Watch: What makes Harry Kane so good?

While Union have not been as free-scoring as Bayern, they have been clinical, with their nine total goals resulting in four wins and three draws. This efficiency has been a team effort, with those goals being split between seven different scorers. Benedict Hollerbach is their joint-top scorer with two goals (together with left-back Tom Rothe) but has provided his side with more than just goals; his energy up and down the pitch have made him a nightmare to defend against, and he also defends brilliantly himself, winning 88 duels so far this season which puts him in the division's top 10.

Svensson’s side also lie in third for shots against post and bar (third) highlighting that, while incredibly efficient, they can still improve going forward. With players like Hollerbach and Yorbe Vertessen still finding their feet in the Bundesliga, Union will be a dangerous proposition when in full flow.

Watch: Union Bo-lin under the tactical microscope

Young talent

Young talent has been a key ingredient to the early season success of both these sides, with Aleksandar Pavlović (20) having been a mainstay in midfield next to Joshua Kimmich, making nine starts in all competitions before breaking his collarbone against VfB Stuttgart. Jamal Musiala (21) and Olise (22) have also been integral to Bayern‘s attacking fluency, contributing nine goals and three assists between them in eight Bundesliga games. Mathys Tel (19) also contributes regularly from the bench, making two starts and four substitute appearances in all competitions this season.

Union have likewise leaned on young players making strides in the Bundesliga. Hollerbach (23), Vertessen (23), Rothe (20) and Aljoscha Kemlein (20) have each shown their readiness to perform at the highest level. Hollerbach, who joined from Wehen Wiesbaden the previous summer summer, made 28 Bundesliga appearances in 2023/24, scoring five goals. Thirteen of those were as a substitute, but this season he has solidified his role as a key player under Svensson, starting all eight league matches so far.

Watch: Rothe stars in Union's win over Kiel

Vertessen joined earlier this year and made an impression straight away, scoring three and assisting two in 13 appearances, six of which were from the bench. He has appeared in all eight games this season, with an even split between substitute appearances and starts, scoring once and displaying an ability to link play with the rest of the frontline. Rothe and Kemlein both led the team to victory over Holstein Kiel, with a goal each securing a 2-0 win away from home. That was Kemlein’s first goal for his boyhood club, while it was Rothe’s second goal for Union since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.