Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has praised Harry Kane’s relentless drive and professionalism as the Bundesliga champions prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in a high-stakes early-season clash between the league’s only unbeaten teams.
Bayern have enjoyed a flawless start to the campaign, winning all 10 of their matches in all competitions, scoring 38 goals and conceding just eight. At the heart of their ruthless run is Harry Kane, who continues to reach new heights in Germany.
The 32-year-old England captain has scored 18 goals and provided three assists in just 10 matches for Bayern this season. His form carried over to international duty in midweek, where he netted twice in England’s 5-0 victory over Latvia.
Kompany believes that Kane’s long wait for major silverware earlier in his career has made him even more determined to succeed.
“Maybe it helped that he didn’t win a title for a long time, so he kept up that hunger,” Kompany said. “He knows what his role in our team is and how he fits in with his teammates.”
While Bayern have set a fierce pace at the top of the Bundesliga, Dortmund are emerging as credible challengers. Niko Kovac’s side are unbeaten in nine games across all competitions and sit four points behind Bayern in second place.
Kovac, who previously won the domestic double with Bayern before being dismissed just six months later, urged his side to show courage at the Allianz Arena.
“It’ll be difficult if we play too cautiously,” said Kovac. “Just defending won’t work. We respect Bayern, but we need to take the initiative.”
He added that Dortmund must draw confidence from past results in Munich.
“If we play like we did last year here, we’ll have a good chance – but we need to be brave.”
The Bundesliga’s marquee fixture, dubbed Der Klassiker, has often served as a reality check for Dortmund’s title ambitions. They have lost eight of their last 10 visits to Munich, but recent results hint at a more competitive rivalry.
Dortmund are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Bayern (one win, two draws), including a 2-0 victory at the Allianz Arena in 2024—their first league win in Munich in a decade.
Former Dortmund and Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, now heading Red Bull’s football operations, was asked whether he would watch Saturday’s showdown. Speaking from Mallorca, Klopp admitted he is likely to miss it due to work commitments.
“If I didn’t have to work, I’d definitely watch the game,” he said.
Away from the title race, Bayer Leverkusen’s Loïc Badé continues to impress. Signed from Sevilla in August, the 25-year-old French centre-back has become a defensive linchpin during the club’s summer rebuild.
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes praised Badé’s early influence:
“He’s amazing on the pitch, but also vital off it. He connects people in the locker room—language, personality, culture. Loïc has real presence.”
(1330 GMT unless stated)
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
With both sides unbeaten and momentum building on either side of the Bundesliga divide, Saturday’s Klassiker promises to be a defining early chapter in the title race—driven by the relentless form of Harry Kane and the resurgence of Dortmund under Niko Kovac.
