'The hunger is there' - FCB open Bundesliga season against RB Leipzig

It's here at last! FC Bayern kick off the new Bundesliga season this Friday when they host RB Leipzig (live coverage with our text commentary and free web radio on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app from 20.30 CEST). Under the floodlights at home in the Allianz Arena, the men from Munich will be looking to lay down a marker right from the start and pick up their first three points. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.

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The German record champions enjoyed a perfect pre-season with four wins from four games and head into the new campaign brimming with confidence. The 2-1 win at VfB Stuttgart in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup in particular served as an initial signal. The performance against the DFB Cup holders was "the most important game so far", said head coach Vincent Kompany in his pre-match press conference on Thursday. "We took a step in the right direction."

In the other friendlies, too, the Bavarians impressed not only with results but also with attitude: the team showed the desired determination against Lyon (2-1), Spurs (4-0) and Grasshoppers (2-1). "We're there mentally, that's important. The hunger is there," said Kompany. "We've had some good games and good results," said board member for sport Max Eberl. Kompany took a similar view: "We've shown so far that we're absolutely ready to battle." The aim now is to take the energy from the short but intensive pre-season into the Bundesliga opener. "We also want to draw some strength from this phase," said the FCB head coach.

The Reds have once again set themselves ambitious goals for the new season. "When you work at Bayern, you always want the maximum possible. We go into the season wanting to win as much as possible," said Eberl. Kompany also wants to "set the bar a little higher" and at the same time shifted the focus onto Friday night's game. "The important thing is that we have the same hunger we'd have if we wanted to win something for the first time."

The lowdown on the clash with RB Leipzig:

The opponents: RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig are opponents who Eberl classifies as "high-calibre". The Saxons are starting the 2025/26 campaign with a fresh look: Ole Werner took over as coach in the summer and brought a new style of play with him. For Kompany, the radical shake-up is clearly recognisable: "There's more variability," he explained with regard to the numerous changes in the Leipzig team. "They've brought in some talented players and have a strong squad."

RB coach Werner is demanding "clear solutions" from his team when they have the ball - they should also have the courage to play football against a strong Bayern side. "Of course, you have to defend very well in Munich and will be put under a lot of pressure defensively. Nevertheless, it'll be important that we keep pressing high and winning the ball in phases," said the new RBL head coach at his pre-match press conference.

In our analysis of our upcoming opponents, we take a look at their pre-season, the transfers, the expected line-up and their tactical set-up:

Team news

Bayern continue to be without the long-term injured Alphonso Davies (cruciate ligament rupture), Hiroki Ito (metatarsal fracture) and Jamal Musiala (fractured fibula). Aleksandar Pavlović returned to team training during the week following surgery. "He trained well," said Kompany on Thursday. "Of course, he hasn't played a game yet, but I don't think it will be long before he's back."

Lukas Klostermann, Tidiam Gomis, Andrija Maksimovic and Benjamin Henrichs will not be available to RB Leipzig for the game in Munich.

Tom Bischof has also been sidelined following surgery:

What the coaches say

Check out the key statements from the pre-match press conference with Vincent Kompany and Max Eberl here: