Why FC Bayern are strengthened ahead of the top clash against Dortmund

Jonathan Tah flew through the air in added time to artistically intercept a dangerous long ball, accompanied by a relieved murmur from the Bayern fans, who were nervous towards the end. After a very dominant first half and a seemingly comfortable three-goal lead after Harry Kane’s brace and Aleksandar Pavlović’s goal, Bayern had allowed Eintracht back into the game.

A victory of enormous value

Frankfurt made the most of a penalty and a mistake to cover up a poor display up front and make it 3-2, but Munich went on to claim a deserved home victory that boosts them for next week’s top clash against Borussia Dortmund.

The victory, achieved after impressive dominance over large spells and a nerve-wracking final phase, is invaluable for Bayern, who will travel to Dortmund boosted by the success. “We took ourselves out of the game to some extent,” said head coach Vincent Kompany: “Frankfurt did a really good job towards the end, but we were very dominant for large spells and did a lot of things right. We must learn from it and are in a perfect position for the next game.”

The home side were in the driving seat in the first half in particular. Frankfurt sat very deep and left Bayern in control of the game and the entire midfield, allowing them a lot of space near the box. Munich were utterly dominant and had plenty of chances. It was only because of lapses of concentration that Bayern didn’t take the lead earlier. More than 49 percent of the first half took part in the final third, with Bayern having twelve ball actions in the box to Eintracht’s zero.

Pavlović’s powerful drive

The first goal came after the fourth corner when the ball was only cleared as far as Aleksandar Pavlović, whose powerful drive found the low corner of the net in the 15^th minute. Bayern netted again two corners later, when the industrious Josip Stanišić flicked on Michael Olise’s corner for Harry Kane to head home. With his 501^st career goal and his 27^th goal this season, the Englishman saw to it that Eintracht conceded the most goals this season (48, joint with Heidenheim). In Europe’s top five leagues, only FC Metz have conceded more than Frankfurt. And FC Bayern have now scored from eleven corners in the Bundesliga – a best-mark ahead of Dortmund’s ten.

Fruitless build-up play

FC Bayern’s aggressive pressing in the early stages led two five shots and two goals. Munich’s 64 percent of tackles won further discouraged the away side. Frankfurt didn’t get a grip and their build-up play led to nothing. Eintracht only played a total of five passes in the final third until the 32^nd minute. The 48 goals conceded are a negative Bundesliga record – Eintracht only conceded as many in 1981/82 and 1984/85.

However, the home side’s dominance led to lapses of concentration on and off the pitch – physio Helmut Erhard slipped at the edge of the pitch, head coach Vincent Kompany catching him. Bayern missed a number of chances – Jamal Musiala, who started in the Bundesliga for the first time since the 3-1 victory over Augsburg on 4 April 2025, fired inches wide, Olise only just miscued and Luis Díaz lacked precision.

A dose of courage and conviction

As so often, a player gave his teammates a dose of courage and conviction when Jonathan Burkardt hit the post out of the blue, but Bayern scored the next goal. Kane was under no pressure and unleashed a precise shot to make it three after Stanišić and Joshua Kimmich had forced a bad pass in the 68^th minute. Harry Kane equalled a Bundesliga record with his 28 goals in 23 matches. Only Robert Lewandowski scored as many in 2020/21 and 2021/22.

‘We felt we were too relaxed’

“We felt we were too relaxed, we missed a lot of chances. It was a really dominant display until the third goal,” said Kompany.

But things got unnecessarily exciting when Kane hit his opponent’s foot when trying to clear the ball, with Burkardt converting the ensuing penalty. When Eintracht capitalised on a bad pass, the home victory was in danger again (87’). “We did a good job in the second half but deservedly lost,” commanted Frankfurt’s Burkardt: “We obviously want to take something away when we’re so close at the end.” Frankfurt took three shots but scored twice and hit the woodwork once. “The two mistakes towards the end made it a bit exciting again, that was unnecessary. The three points are the main thing,” said Kane. Jonathan Tah’s artistic clearance made sure FC Bayern rewarded themselves for their utter dominance over more than an hour.

“We must always be at 100 percent in terms of energy and focus, no matter what game or when,” commented Jamal Musiala: “We must learn from this, it happens, but luckily we have the three points.” The victory boosts the league leaders’ confidence ahead of the top match against Borussia Dortmund. The team showed they’re ready for the next step that might decide the fight for the title. “We must learn from it and are in a perfect position for the next game,” said Kompany. Goal-getter Kane added: “We can be satisfied and focus on the game next week.”

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