Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig
Bayern Munich’s pre-season preparations are set to ramp up to the next level this weekend when they host RB Leipzig in a Club Friendly on Saturday afternoon at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Vincent Kompany’s team will raise the curtain on the new Bundesliga campaign on Friday, 28 August with a tasty clash at home to VfB Stuttgart, while Leipzig host Borussia Monchengladbach on the following Saturday, and Red Bull’s new manager Martin Demichelis is plotting an assault on the title as one of the main challengers to Bayern Munich’s dominance.
It will take a monumental effort for any of the insurgents, led by Borussia Dortmund, to unseat the Bavarians. But with the new campaign looming, hope springs eternal, and Red Bull will be keen to give Bayern something to think about on Saturday.
Talking Points
Kompany demands intensity
On 22nd August, Kompany’s men will face Borussia Dortmund in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, and the Club Friendly 2026 betting odds say they will be very difficult to dislodge next year, but manager Kompany is not about to take anything for granted.
The Bavarians looked to be coasting to a 2-0 win over Aston Villa in their last outing thanks to strikes from Luis Diaz and Kim Min-Jae. But the Hong Kong crowd was treated to an exciting finish, as Joao Gomes ‘ long-range effort gave the German side an uncomfortable last few minutes.
Kompany is nothing if not a perfectionist, as a winner of four Premier League titles with Manchester City, whom he captained for eight campaigns, and he oversaw an intense training session in the aftermath of the edgy win over the Villans. After the attackers and defenders finished their own drills, they came together for a match which focused heavily on intensity of pressing and physicality in challenges. Kompany was seen on the touchline barking out orders and encouraging his players as you would expect in a competitive match.
The manager has a team of winners led by keeper Manuel Neuer, and with Joshua Kimmich and Harry Kane leading the charge in the outfield, there is always competition for places. Kompany has already brought new blood into the team, with the signing of exciting wing-back Nathaniel Brown for €50 million from Frankfurt and much-admired forward Ismael Saibari from PSV Eindhoven for a similar fee, while young star Wisdom Mike, a winger with electric pace, will be pushing for game time this season.
Can Demichelis get the Bulls moving?
The appointment of 45-year-old Demichelis certainly raised a few eyebrows around the German top-flight, following a short stint as head coach of Mallorca. He joined the La Liga side in February last season as they languished in the relegation mire, and despite picking up 18 points from the last 12 games, Mallorca took the drop to the La Liga Segunda Division. He extended his contract with Mallorca but was tempted back to the Bundesliga, where he played much of his football.
“I was won over by my discussions with the club and its sporting vision,” he said on signing. “RB Leipzig are an ambitious club with a clear identity, outstanding talent and a determination to keep improving at the highest level. That is exactly the kind of challenge I was looking for.”
With 51 games for Argentina, Demichelis made his name as a defensive midfielder with FC Bayern and Manchester City, and he began his coaching career with Bayern Munich II before moving on to Monterrey and then Mallorca, but this is his biggest job so far.
The SBOTOP odds rate Leipzig as third favourites to win the title, but they have been unconvincing so far in pre-season. Die Roten Bullen lost their last game away to Leeds United, and Demichelis is looking for improvement.
Highly-rated centre-back Maxime Esteve has arrived in a €25 million move from Burnley, while central midfielder Rocco Reitz has switched from Borussia Monchengladbach for €20 million. Led by Germany star David Raum, Red Bull can certainly be a threat, but Demichelis will be under pressure if they make a slow start.
History
Bayern and Red Bull have met 25 times previously, and the Bavarians have won 14, with Red Bull picking up three victories and eight draws. Last season, Kompany’s men handed out a league double shellacking to these opponents, 6-0 in Munich and 5-1 in Leipzig, as well as dumping them out of the DFB-Pokal.
In terms of pre-season form, Bayern have won three and lost one of their four warm-up games, while Leipzig have won two and lost two so far.
Betting Tip
With Bayern strongly expected to win this clash, RB Leipzig are clear underdogs, and a draw would be a real surprise for a friendly. But that is the way the match looks, with the reigning champions appearing almost unbeatable. As ever with Kompany’s team, we expect goals, and that is where I see the value.
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