Bayern Munich Season Guide 2025/26: Key Fixtures, Transfers and Predicted Starting XI | OneFootball

After losing their stranglehold on the Bundesliga in 2023/24, Bayern Munich returned to the throne last season.

Bayer Leverkusen wrote a new chapter in German football two years ago, but the Bavarians reasserted their dominance with a statement campaign.

Manager Vincent Kompany won the title in his first season, with the record-time Bundesliga champions leaving second-placed Die Werkself 13 points behind.

However, the Belgian remains under scrutiny after his side faltered in the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League.

Returning to the top of European football will be Kompany’s primary assignment in 2025/26, but everyone around the Munich camp also expects another dominant domestic season.

Bayern Munich Fixtures

Bayern’s title defence starts with a blockbuster clash against RB Leipzig on home turf, while they travel to Augsburg for their first away game of the season on the following weekend.

September kicks off with an enticing fixture against familiar foes Hamburger SV, who are back in the Bundesliga after seven years.

After two exciting games against Werder Bremen (H) and Eintracht Frankfurt (A), the Bavarians will lock horns with bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund in the first Der Klassiker of 2025/26.

That derby ushers in a challenging three-game stretch, which also includes trips to Borussia Monchengladbach and a home encounter against Leverkusen.

Kompany’s side will face Heidenheim on the road in their final outing of 2025, while they get the new calendar year underway with a home match against Wolfsburg.

An away game to Leipzig will be the highlight of Bayern’s schedule in January, with the second edition of Der Klassiker arriving at the end of February, when they head to Signal Iduna Park.

Like in the first half of the season, that showdown will be part of a ruthless patch, with high-stakes clashes against Frankfurt (H), Gladbach (H) and Leverkusen (A) sandwiching the famous derby.

Bayern’s season closes out on home turf against Cologne.

Manager

Bayern’s decision to put the club’s bid to regain its elite status in European football into the hands of Kompany remains opinion-splitting.

It’s still a topic of debate, even though the former Manchester City captain inspired the Bavarians to a record-extending 34th Bundesliga title in his first season at the wheel.

Kompany earned recognition at Burnley, helping the club secure Premier League promotion in 2022/23 after hitting a 100-point landmark. However, he flopped in his first season in top-flight management.

Despite suffering relegation with the Clarets, the 39-year-old impressed Bayern’s board enough to land the job at one of Europe’s most decorated clubs.

The Belgian reigned supreme in his maiden season in the Bundesliga, losing just two league games, with his side falling only one goal shy of the famous century.

However, Bayern’s struggles on other fronts show that Kompany still has work to do to achieve success beyond Germany’s top flight.

Transfers

Bayern’s star-studded squad doesn’t have many weak spots, but the Bavarians have, nonetheless, dipped into their pockets to strengthen their ranks.

With the emphasis on trimming a bloated squad, Kompany’s charges have cut ties with several long-serving stalwarts, including Leroy Sane and Thomas Muller.

Eric Dier has also left Munich as a free agent, while Joao Palhinha and Bryan Zaragoza joined Tottenham Hotspur and Celta Vigo on loan, respectively.

In addition to Palhinha, Mathys Tel has completed his permanent transfer to Spurs, pouring around €35 million into the club’s coffers.

The Munich giants have used that money and then some to sign Luis Diaz from Liverpool for a staggering €70m fee.

Jonathan Tah’s arrival from Leverkusen set the Bavarians back only €2m, considering his contract at the BayArena was on the verge of expiring.

Bayern have also invested in the future with the signing of prodigious German midfielder Tom Bischof from TSG Hoffenheim for a mere €600,000.

It’s worth noting that Kingsley Coman is one step away from joining Al-Nassr, with Bayern reportedly reluctant to intensify their pursuit of Nick Woltemade.

Starting XI

Kompany has established a 4-2-3-1 system in Munich and will not make any changes, based on the team’s pre-season.

Despite Jonas Urbig’s emergence last year, captain Manuel Neuer could be in for his final campaign between the posts.

Back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Alphonso Davies will likely regain his spot on the left flank, with Konrad Laimer set to operate on the opposite side.

Tah should immediately slot into the starting line-up alongside Dayot Upamecano after the Frenchman leapfrogged Kim Min-jae in the pecking order.

Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich will serve as the two midfield linchpins, as was the case last term.

Bayern lost quicksilver forward Jamal Musiala to a long-term injury during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with Michael Olise expected to take his place at the start of 2025/26.

Olise’s switch to a more central role could force Serge Gnabry’s return to the right wing, while Diaz is likely to occupy his favourite position on the left side.

Harry Kane will spearhead the attack.

(4-2-3-1): Neuer; Davies, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Goretzka; Diaz, Olise, Gnabry; Kane.

Star Player

Although the attacking potential brims with talent, one name stands out. Kane finally broke his curse last season, claiming his first major silverware.

Kane’s individual brilliance has never been in doubt, but after clinching the Bundesliga title, he enters 2025/26 with renewed confidence and the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

One of the world’s deadliest strikers has a remarkable track record in terms of scoring. He showcased his goal-scoring prowess last term, netting 26 goals and adding 10 assists in 31 league appearances.

With Bayern aiming to not only win another Bundesliga crown but also fight for Champions League glory, the talismanic centre-forward will likely be under the spotlight again.

Prediction

Always favoured to win the Bundesliga title, Bayern will once again be the team to beat in Germany.

No one came close to displacing them last season, and it’s hard to expect a change of scenery this term.

While lifting a 35th league trophy seems like a virtual certainty, Kompany’s job may well depend on Bayern’s results in Europe.

A team of this quality has the imperative to dominate on all fronts.

However, whether they can translate their domestic supremacy into continental success remains to be seen.

Predicted finish: 1st.

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Also Read: Bundesliga 2025/26 Predictions: Bayern to Retain Title, Dortmund Eye Surprise Push