Kompany Tightens Bayern's Strikes: A Derby Preview That Spells Fire
9 October 2025
Season start and Derby preview
Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich's coach, spoke about the Bavarian giant's strong start this season and the team's preparations for the clash with Borussia Dortmund in the first match after the current international break.
Bayern sit at the top with a perfect 18 points, and lead the group stage in the Champions League with a flawless record, delivering impressive attacking performances that have stunned opponents.
Bayern are looking forward to the Der Klassiker against Dortmund on Saturday, October 18 at the Allianz Arena, aiming to extend their four-point cushion over the rivals and to reclaim the wins they failed to secure in last season’s two meetings.
Season insights: attack, defense, and newcomers
In an interview on the club's official site, Kompany was asked to describe the first part of the season in three words. He replied that they keep moving forward; the matches are behind them, and now it's about winning again.
Speaking about the attack and the defenders' balance, the Belgian — a former defender — noted that his forwards look unstoppable this term. He said that to score you need quality and that these players have it in abundance, and he enjoys seeing them link up, create chances, and take shots.
On Harry Kane, he explained that the foundation of everything the team does comes from the forwards' hard work and ball recovery; keeping their work rate high is a priority and helps everyone else perform.
Regarding newcomers Luis Diaz, Jonathan Tah, and Nicolas Jackson, he added that Diaz has brought personality and energy, has already created chances and fit well into the team's plan.
Nicolas Jackson has earned praise for his resilience and energy; Kompany said he has integrated quickly, with patience needed in this early phase to give them every chance to succeed.
As for Jonathan Tah, he has adjusted rapidly as part of an accelerated onboarding from the World Cup period, taking on leadership duties while still developing with the ball rather than bearing the weight alone.
Der Klassiker atmosphere and closing thoughts
On the upcoming Klassiker, Kompany acknowledged that Bayern haven’t beaten Dortmund since 2023 and that such matches roll with their own narrative, with emotions playing a major role and the distance between the two cities adding to the drama.
He finished with encouragement about the mood around the Klassiker: two good showings last year ended in draws, and the focus now is on securing three points, while understanding the unique significance of these clashes.
Punchline 1: Bayern's goals are so precise that even their passes come with a built-in target reticle.
Punchline 2: If Der Klassiker had a sniper, the halftime whistle would be the headshot—never misses its shot.
