Matchday in focus: The “special” opponent | OneFootball

Bayern have a commanding lead at the top of the table, with Vincent Kompany’s side playing football reminiscent of that of his mentor.

Tactics

Bayern Munich have the division’s best attack so far this season. Both their tally of 65 goals scored and their expected goals (xG) quota of 54.4 are higher than that of any other team.

Vincent Kompany usually sends his side out in a 4-2-3-1 formation. “I think you can tell that he worked under Pep Guardiola in the way he wants his side to play,” said former Eintracht captain Sebastian Rode, who, like Kompany, also used to play under Guardiola.

“I think the decisive thing is the way his team defends man-to-man all over the pitch. Kompany and Guardiola are similar in terms of counter-pressing and player positioning.”

Head coach Dino Toppmöller is also well aware of the quality his players will be going up against: “You need to tinker more than usual because Bayern are a very special side with great players. We need to be prepared to the last detail and have a special game plan.”

Absentees

Bayern will be without Daniel Peretz (kidney problems), while Harry Kane is rated doubtful with a calf complaint.

For Eintracht, Igor Matanovic (foot) and Robin Koch (shoulder) will definitely miss out. Mario Götze is racing to be fit in time after struggling with illness.

One to watch: Dayot Upamecano

Since joining in 2021, Upamecano has established himself as a key member of the Bayern backline. The 26-year-old has made 144 competitive appearances since then, including 30 starts in all competition this term.

Dayot Upamecano…

Facts and figures

Bayern have registered 42 Bundesliga home wins over Eintracht. No other team in league history has ever won more home fixtures against any one opponent.

Kompany’s side have 55 points on the board from 22 league games, which represents Bayern’s best season for seven years. In 2024/25 they have only dropped two points at the Allianz Arena, which is the best home record of any side in Europe’s top five divisions.

With 42 points from 22 matches, the Eagles are enjoying their joint-best season (level with 2020/21) since the three-point rule was introduced. The team is on a seven-game unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga for the first time ever under Toppmöller.

Since losing 2-0 against Dortmund on the opening day of 2024/25, Eintracht have found the net in every subsequent league assignment. That run of scoring in 21 straight games is the longest such sequence of any current top-flight club.