Borussia Dortmund will aim to catch Bayern Munich off guard in the blockbuster clash this weekend.
The stage is set for the first Der Klassiker of the 2025/26 season, as Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening. The two giants of German football meet once again in a clash that often shapes the early title narrative, and this encounter promises to be no different.
Both teams have started the campaign brightly, but it is the defending champions who enter the showdown with a sense of irresistible momentum. Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich have been flawless across all competitions, while Niko Kovac’s Borussia Dortmund are quietly building confidence under a renewed defensive identity. The question remains: will we see a genuine title race, or is this already the beginning of another Bayern procession?
If there were any doubts about Vincent Kompany’s ability to handle the Bayern Munich hot seat and overcome the dreadded second-season syndrom, they have been emphatically silenced. The Belgian tactician has overseen a near-perfect start to the season, guiding his side to ten straight wins in all competitions, their best opening to a campaign since joining the Bundesliga in 1965.
In domestic action, Die Roten have been a class apart. They currently sit atop the table after eight consecutive Bundesliga victories, a streak unmatched in over five years. Even more impressively, they’ve scored three or more goals in seven of those matches, setting a new competition record with 25 goals in the opening six rounds. Kompany’s tactical blend of high pressing, fluid rotations, and razor-sharp finishing has made Bayern not only effective but devastatingly entertaining.
The balance within the side has been crucial, Harry Kane’s finishing instincts, Jamal Musiala’s creativity, and Leroy Sane’s resurgence have formed a frightening attacking trident. At the same time, the defensive partnership of Matthijs de Ligt and Kim Min-jae has provided the stability Bayern lacked last season. With the Allianz Arena crowd behind them, Bayern will be desperate to end their three-match winless run against Dortmund, reasserting their domestic dominance in style.
For Niko Kovac, this game represents both a test and an opportunity. Borussia Dortmund have started the season strongly, even if not spectacularly, sitting close behind Bayern Munich and maintaining a clear upward trajectory. The focus has been on tightening the backline, an area that often cost them in recent years, and the results are evident.
The Black and Yellows have conceded just four goals in six Bundesliga matches, keeping four clean sheets along the way. Their structure is more disciplined, their midfield more industrious, and their counter-attacks as sharp as ever. Kovac’s influence is clear: a side once accused of naivety is now organized, compact, and ruthless in transition.
The Croatian coach boasts an impressive record since taking over, 21 wins in 34 matches across all competitions, and he has already made history by guiding Borussia Dortmund to a three-match unbeaten run against Bayern Munich. That sequence includes a memorable 2–0 victory at the Allianz Arena in March 2024, a statement performance that briefly rekindled their title aspirations.
A repeat of that result would once again throw the Bundesliga wide open. To do so, Borussia Dortmund will rely on the explosive pace of Karim Adeyemi, the creativity of Julian Brandt, and the leadership of Emre Can in midfield. Yet they will also need to maintain near-perfect defensive focus to contain Bayern’s relentless attacking waves. 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
Despite their flawless start to the campaign, Bayern Munich continue to battle a worrying injury list, one that makes their dominance under Vincent Kompany even more remarkable. The Bavarians remain without several key first-team players, including Jamal Musiala, who has not featured in a competitive match since the Club World Cup earlier this year. The creative midfielder’s long-term muscular issue is expected to keep him sidelined until early 2026, depriving Bayern of one of their most gifted playmakers.
At the back, Alphonso Davies is still recovering from a knee injury sustained in March. His absence has forced tactical reshuffles on the left flank, where others have had to step up in his place. Defensive depth has been further strained by the continued absence of Hiroki Ito and Josip Stanisic, who are both nursing lower limb injuries, Ito with a foot problem and Stanisic with a knee concern. Fortunately, Bayern have no suspension issues to contend with ahead of the Klassiker, allowing Kompany to field a strong starting XI despite the ongoing setbacks.
Tactically, Bayern Munich are expected to retain their fluid 4-2-3-1 formation, which has been central to their blistering start this season. Manuel Neuer will take his place in goal, offering leadership and composure from the back. The defensive line is likely to feature Sacha Boey at right-back, Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah as the central pairing, and Konrad Laimer filling in at left-back, a role he has adapted to effectively during Davies’ absence.
In midfield, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka will form the double pivot, providing a balance of control and aggression. Kimmich will dictate tempo and recycle possession, while Goretzka’s athleticism and late runs into the box will be crucial in supporting attacks. Ahead of them, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, and Luis Diaz will operate as the attacking trio behind the striker, offering creativity, pace, and width. Olise’s ability to cut inside from the right and Gnabry’s direct running from the opposite flank give Bayern multiple avenues of attack.
At the tip of the spear, Harry Kane will once again lead the line. The England captain has been in imperious form, already amassing 11 Bundesliga goals this season. His intelligent positioning, link-up play, and ruthless finishing make him the focal point of Kompany’s attacking system. With Bayern’s fluid frontline and structured build-up, Kane’s movement between the lines could prove decisive in breaking down Dortmund’s disciplined defence.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Boey, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane
Borussia Dortmund
Niko Kovac will once again have to contend with a few key absentees as Borussia Dortmund prepare for their biggest test of the season. The captain and midfield general, Emre Can, remains sidelined due to a groin injury that has kept him out of action for several weeks. His absence continues to leave a void in the centre of the park, both in terms of leadership and defensive stability.
Young winger Julien Duranville will also be unavailable, as the teenage prospect continues to recover from a shoulder injury sustained during training earlier this month. His absence robs Dortmund of a creative option off the bench, someone capable of injecting pace and unpredictability in the final third.
Meanwhile, Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino is expected to miss out as well, with the 19-year-old still nursing a muscle strain that will require additional rest. Apart from these injuries, Kovac has no new suspensions to manage, allowing him to name a largely consistent starting lineup for the trip to Munich.
Tactically, Borussia Dortmund are expected to adopt a 3-4-3 formation, designed to reinforce defensive solidity while retaining their ability to break quickly through wide areas. Gregor Kobel will start between the posts, providing reliability and command in goal.
Ahead of him, the back three will consist of Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ramy Bensebaini, a combination that blends aerial strength with ball-playing ability. Schlotterbeck, in particular, will be tasked with stepping into midfield when Dortmund are in possession, helping to initiate attacks from deep.
The wing-backs will play a critical role in Kovac’s system. Yan Couto will occupy the right flank, tasked with stretching play and offering overlapping runs, while Daniel Svensson will feature on the left, providing balance and defensive cover.
In central midfield, Marcel Sabitzer and Felix Nmecha will anchor the side, looking to dictate the tempo and disrupt Bayern’s rhythm. Sabitzer’s experience and passing range will be vital in transitioning the ball from defence to attack, while Nmecha’s energy and physicality will be key in pressing high and winning second balls.
Up front, Dortmund’s attacking trio will be led by Serhou Guirassy, whose finishing prowess and positional instinct have made him one of the Bundesliga’s standout forwards this season. Karim Adeyemi will operate on the right wing, using his pace to exploit the space behind Bayern’s full-backs, while Maximilian Beier is expected to start on the left, offering direct dribbles and width in attack. The interplay between these three attackers, particularly Guirassy’s ability to hold up the ball and link with runners, will determine Dortmund’s effectiveness on the counter.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Kobel; Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Couto, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Guirassy, Beier
Key Stats
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Under Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich have enjoyed a record-breaking opening to the 2025/26 campaign, winning all 10 of their matches in all competitions, their best-ever start to a Bundesliga season since joining the league in 1965.
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The champions have scored 25 goals in their first six league matches, setting a new Bundesliga record. They have also netted three or more goals in seven of their last eight league outings, highlighting their attacking dominance.
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Niko Kovac’s Borussia Dortmund have conceded just four goals in six Bundesliga games, keeping four clean sheets, their best defensive start to a league season since 2011/12, the year they last won the title.
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Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Bayern across all competitions, including a 2–0 win at the Allianz Arena in March 2024. This marks their longest unbeaten run in Der Klassiker since 2018.
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Bayern Munich’s talisman Harry Kane has been unstoppable, scoring 11 goals in his first eight Bundesliga matches this season. The English striker has averaged a goal every 57 minutes in the league, the best ratio among Europe’s top five divisions so far.
Player to Watch
Luis Diaz
While much of the pre-match focus will naturally fall on Harry Kane’s prolific form, it is Luis Díaz who could prove to be Bayern Munich’s X-factor in this edition of Der Klassiker. Since joining the Bavarian giants, the Colombian winger has added a dynamic edge to Vincent Kompany’s attack, offering the kind of directness and flair that stretches even the most disciplined defences.
Diaz’s ability to isolate defenders one-on-one and create chaos down the left flank has quickly made him a key figure in Bayern’s system. His trademark quick shifts of balance, sharp dribbles, and explosive accelerations have given Bayern an extra dimension in transition, one that perfectly complements the clinical finishing of Kane and the creative interplay of Michael Olise on the other flank.
Beyond his attacking flair, Diaz’s work rate under Kompany has been outstanding. The 28-year-old has shown a willingness to press aggressively, track back, and contribute defensively, an essential trait for wingers in Bayern’s high-intensity structure. His capacity to turn defence into attack within seconds makes him particularly dangerous against a Dortmund side that prefers to play with an advanced backline.
With Dortmund likely to focus heavily on Kane’s movement, Diaz could find himself in space on the left wing, where his speed and unpredictability can exploit gaps behind the wing-backs. If Bayern are to extend their perfect run, expect Luis Diaz to play a decisive role, either by creating chances or providing the breakthrough moment that ignites the Allianz Arena.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
There is little doubt that Borussia Dortmund arrive in better shape than in previous years, but Bayern’s current form borders on unstoppable. Kompany’s men are scoring freely, defending with authority, and showing the kind of relentless intensity that has defined their greatest title-winning sides.
Borussia Dortmund’s recent record in this fixture gives them confidence, and Kovac’s tactical discipline may keep the game competitive for long spells. However, Bayern’s ability to find goals from multiple sources and control tempo at home should prove decisive in the end. Expect another high-quality Klassiker, but one that ultimately reinforces Bayern’s supremacy.
