Bayern Munich will hope to keep up their sensational start to the season when they welcome Werder Bremen on Friday.
The Bundesliga returns on Friday night with a classic encounter at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich host Werder Bremen in their fifth league outing of the season. The defending champions are looking to extend their flawless start to the campaign, while Bremen arrive in Munich searching for consistency and a much-needed boost in form.
Bayern Munich have wasted no time asserting their dominance under Vincent Kompany this season. Last weekend’s 4-1 win over TSG Hoffenheim maintained their perfect record in both domestic and European competitions, taking their tally to seven wins from seven across all fronts. The Bavarians have been particularly ruthless in attack, scoring 18 goals in just four Bundesliga matches, a new record for the competition’s opening fixtures.
Even with their offensive power, concerns linger about Bayern’s defence. Kompany’s men have kept just one clean sheet in their first five games of the season, conceding six times. Hoffenheim created several dangerous chances at the Allianz Arena last week but failed to capitalise, leaving Bayern slightly flattered by the scoreline.
With tougher fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund on the horizon, Friday’s Bundesliga clash represents a crucial opportunity to tighten up at the back while maintaining their attacking edge.
Still, supporters will take confidence from the team’s near-perfect record at home. Bayern Munich have won all three matches at the Allianz Arena this season, scoring 14 goals and conceding just once, a run that underlines their fortress-like strength in Munich.
Werder Bremen’s campaign has been one of frustration so far. Horst Steffen’s side were outclassed in a 3-0 defeat to SC Freiburg last weekend, despite dominating possession with 62% of the ball. While they have shown flashes of attacking intent, scoring eight goals to rank among the Bundesliga’s better offensive sides, their defensive record tells another story. Having shipped 10 goals already, they stand as the joint-worst defence in the league.
Consistency has been difficult to come by for the Green-Whites. Their only victory in five matches this season came in emphatic style, a 4-0 demolition of Borussia Monchengladbach away from home, but that remains an outlier. They have suffered three defeats in total, including back-to-back away losses prior to their Monchengladbach success, and their record against Bayern offers little encouragement.
Bremen have lost each of their last seven meetings with the champions, conceding 23 goals in the process, including 3-0 and 5-0 defeats in the 2024 calendar year alone. Bayern Munich’s explosive start contrasts sharply with Bremen’s shaky opening, and history provides further evidence of the gulf between the sides.
With Kompany’s attack firing on all cylinders and Bremen’s defensive vulnerabilities glaring, this fixture appears set to follow a familiar pattern. For Werder Bremen, the focus may be less on the result and more on whether they can compete for spells of the game, build confidence, and avoid another heavy defeat at the hands of their most daunting opponent. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany will be without two important defenders for this encounter. Left-back Alphonso Davies remains sidelined with a muscle injury, while centre-back Hiroki Ito is also unavailable as he recovers from his own fitness setback.
Jamal Musiala is another key absentee, with the young playmaker nursing a knock that rules him out of action for the time being. These injuries slightly limit Bayern Munich’s flexibility in defence and attacking midfield, but the squad’s depth still offers ample solutions.
In terms of setup, Bayern Munich are expected to line up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation against Werder Bremen. Manuel Neuer will start in goal, with Konrad Laimer likely deployed at right-back. Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah should continue their partnership at the heart of the defence, while Raphael Guerreiro is set to occupy the left-back position in Davies’s absence.
As for the midfield unit, Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic are expected to form the double pivot, providing both defensive cover and the ability to dictate play from deep. Further forward, Serge Gnabry may be asked to step into the central attacking midfield role to cover for Jamal Musiala, flanked by Michael Olise on the right wing and Luis Diaz on the left.
At the tip of the formation, Harry Kane will once again lead the line for Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen after netting a hat-trick in the last outing, taking his tally to eight goals in the Bundesliga already. The English striker remains the focal point of Bayern’s attack, and he will be eager to extend his remarkable scoring run.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane
Werder Bremen
Head coach Horst Steffen has a key absence to manage in defence, with centre-back Julian Malatini sidelined through injury. His unavailability leaves Werder Bremen short of options in the heart of their backline, meaning Karim Coulibaly and Marco Friedl are the likely pairing in central defence.
Otherwise, Werder Bremen are not carrying significant injury or suspension concerns heading into their daunting trip to the Allianz Arena to take on Bayern Munich, though their defensive fragility remains a concern.
Steffen is expected to set his side up in a compact 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to provide cover against Bayern’s attacking power while still maintaining offensive outlets in transition. Mio Backhaus should start in goal, with Yukinari Sugawara slotting in at right-back and Felix Agu at left-back. The central defensive partnership will likely consist of Karim Coulibaly alongside Marco Friedl.
In midfield, Jens Stage and Senne Lynen are expected to form the double pivot, combining defensive responsibility with the ability to support transitions. Ahead of them, Romano Schmid will operate on the right side of the attacking trio, with Cameron Puertas in the central playmaking role and Justin Njinmah on the left. Leading the line, Marco Grull is set to feature as the lone striker, carrying the burden of trying to breach Bayern’s defence and capitalise on any counterattacking opportunities.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Backhaus; Sugawara, Coulibaly, Friedl, Agu; Stage, Lynen; Schmid, Puertas, Njinmah; Grull
Key Stats
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This will be the 117th Bundesliga meeting between Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen, making it the most played fixture in the league’s history. Bayern have only lost once in their last 31 Bundesliga games against Bremen, a 1-0 defeat in January 2024.
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Bayern Munich have started the season in perfect fashion, winning their first seven competitive matches for the first time since 2018/19 under Niko Kovac. They have never managed more than seven straight wins to open a season under Vincent Kompany.
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Bayern Munich have scored 18 goals in their first four Bundesliga matches, a league record at this stage. By contrast, Werder Bremen have already conceded 10 goals, only Union Berlin (11) have a worse defensive record this season.
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Werder Bremen’s biggest Bundesliga away win in the last five years came this season with a 4-0 victory at Borussia Monchengladbach. They have also lost just one of their last eight Bundesliga away games (W5 D2 L1).
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Bayern Munich have fielded the oldest starting XI in the Bundesliga this season, with an average age of 28 years and 335 days. In contrast, Werder Bremen have the second-youngest average XI in the division at 25 years and 46 days, behind only Eintracht Frankfurt.
Player to Watch
Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz is fast becoming one of Bayern Munich’s most dangerous attacking weapons, and he will be the one to watch when they face Werder Bremen. The Colombian winger has slotted seamlessly into Vincent Kompany’s high-pressing, attack-minded system, using his pace and flair to stretch defences and create openings in the final third.
What makes Díaz stand out is his ability to take on defenders in 1v1 situations. His direct dribbling often draws multiple opponents, which frees up space for teammates like Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry to exploit. In addition, his work rate off the ball is vital in Bayern’s pressing game, making him just as effective defensively as he is going forward.
Diaz’s sharp runs from the left flank into central positions also give Bayern Munich an added layer of unpredictability. Against a Werder side that has already conceded 10 goals in four league matches, his dynamism and ability to create chances out of nothing could prove decisive.
If Bayern Munich are to continue their perfect start to the season and keep their attacking juggernaut rolling, Luis Diaz will almost certainly play a starring role.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 4-1 Werder Bremen
Bayern Munich come into this fixture in unstoppable form, having scored 18 goals in their first four Bundesliga games while winning all seven competitive matches this season. With Harry Kane firing and Luis Diaz adding spark from the wing, Vincent Kompany’s side look ruthless in attack.
Their only concern remains at the back, where they have managed just one clean sheet in five games, but their firepower has consistently overshadowed defensive lapses. Werder Bremen, meanwhile, have endured a mixed start.
Their 4-0 win at Borussia Monchengladbach was impressive, but Horst Steffen’s men have conceded 10 goals already this season, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities. Facing Bayern’s relentless front line at the Allianz Arena is a different challenge altogether, especially given Werder Bremen’s poor record in this fixture and their struggles to contain top-class opposition.
Bayern Munich’s home advantage, attacking depth, and clinical edge should see them extend their perfect run. The visitors might find a goal through a counterattack or set piece, but they are unlikely to match the home side’ intensity. The Hard Tackle predicts a 4-1 win for Vincent Kompany and his charges.