No calculations, just win – Bayern’s approach to title opportunity away at RB Leipzig

Bayern are away at RB Leipzig on Saturday and have the chance to secure the Bundesliga title under their own steam for the first time this season (kick-off at 3.30pm CEST, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.

Check out the photos from final training on Friday:

Latest news from Bayern

“We need to prepare for the game, not a party,” said a focused Vincent Kompany at his pre-match press conference on Friday, aware that Bayern could be crowned champions for the 34th time with victory in Leipzig. A draw would essentially also be enough, given the current eight-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen and FCB’s vastly superior goal difference. It’s a set of eventualities that Kompany and his team don’t want to concern themselves with.

“I don’t want to calculate things; I want to win every game,” the Belgian boss stressed. The race of a long season obviously isn’t about one single game though, Kompany added. But he and his team see Saturday’s match as a final “where we can hopefully be champions”. Bayern’s current form certainly suggests that will be the case, having earned 13 points from a possible 15 over the last five league fixtures, including comprehensive 4-0 and 3-0 wins at Heidenheim and at home to Mainz respectively.

Read more from Kompany at his pre-match press conference here:

Opponent: RB Leipzig

Leipzig suffered a heavy setback in their push for Champions League qualification last week, losing 4-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt for their joint-heaviest defeat in the Bundesliga (alongside a 5-1 loss in Munich this season). The result saw Leipzig slip back to fifth place and at risk of missing out on the Champions League for the first time since 2017/18.

“It’s no secret that we weren’t happy with the performance against Frankfurt. We came up short in several areas,” said Leipzig’s interim coach Zsolt Löw, who previously spent 15 months as assistant coach at Bayern across 2023 and 2024. The Hungarian called for a “qualification week” from his players ahead of facing his former club. Everybody needs to show that they’re ready for “the big game against Bayern”, with his team selection going to be based on his impression from training during the week. Kompany is also expecting a response from the opposition this weekend. “I think we’ll see the best version of Leipzig after their game against Frankfurt and their current situation. We’ll prepare for that,” said the 39-year-old.

Read up on the facts ahead of the game:

Team news

Bayern remain without Alphonso Davies (cruciate ligament), Dayot Upamecano (knee), Hiroki Ito (metatarsal) and Jamal Musiala (hamstring). Harry Kane also misses out due to suspension for five yellow cards. Manuel Neuer has been out of action with a calf problem but has now had a “good week of training”, according to Kompany. However, there’s been no decision yet about his involvement this weekend.

Leipzig are missing goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi (concussion) and captain Willi Orban (muscular), while El Chadaille Bitshiabu is suspended after a red card.

How could Bayern secure the title this weekend?

What the coaches say