Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig preview: The Bundesliga begins | OneFootball

The new Bundesliga season kicks off on TODAY with defending champions Bayern Munich hosting RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena.

It’s a matchup that has become one of German football’s modern rivalries - the established powerhouse against the ambitious challengers. Bayern are aiming to defend their title and send a message that they remain Germany’s dominant force, while Leipzig, fresh from a turbulent summer of change, hope to show that they can bounce back from last season’s disappointments and stake their claim as a top-four contender again.

Since RB Leipzig’s rise to the Bundesliga in 2016, matches against Bayern Munich have often delivered drama. Across 22 competitive meetings, Bayern hold a strong record with 12 wins, 7 draws, and only 3 defeats, underlining the gulf in experience and pedigree between the two clubs. Bayern’s dominance has been particularly evident in decisive fixtures, such as their 5-1 demolition of Leipzig in December 2024, a result that underlined the gap between champions and challengers.

However, Leipzig have never been pushovers in this fixture: They famously defeated Bayern in the 2023 Supercup and have taken points off the Bavarians in crucial league games since. The balance of tradition and fresh ambition makes this opener particularly intriguing.

With both sides boasting new signings, tactical adjustments, and plenty to prove, the curtain-raiser promises fireworks!

Bayern Munich:

Bayern Munich enter the new campaign with momentum, having claimed the Supercup title with a 2–1 win over Stuttgart last weekend. Their pre-season was shorter than usual due to commitments at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, but coach Vincent Kompany has made sure his players are sharp.

Friendly wins over Lyon (2–1), Tottenham (4–0), and Grasshoppers (2–1) showed a team already in rhythm. Kompany, now in his second season, has been clear about the club’s objectives: Bayern want to “win as much as possible,” which in practice means another Bundesliga title, a strong push in the Champions League, and complete domestic dominance.

While the pre-season tests have been good, Bayern's transfer window seems to be more chaotic than ever! In terms of squad changes, the biggest incoming signing is Luis Díaz from Liverpool. The Colombian winger is expected to bring creativity, directness, and Champions League pedigree to the left flank, complementing Harry Kane’s goal-scoring threat.

Jonathan Tah seems to be the long awaited defensive boss next to Dayot Upamecano and Tom Bischof has also shown his great potential over the last few weeks. But Bayern's biggest problem before the season is not about how to integrate new players: it is about how to play without some of Bayern's biggest names!

Team News:

The biggest challenge going into the opener is their injury crisis, particularly in defense. Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, and Hiroki Ito are all sidelined with long-term injuries, stripping the team of pace, creativity, and defensive stability. New signing Tom Bischof is out following his appendix surgery, and while Aleksandar Pavlović is back in training, he is unlikely to start.

Predicted lineup: FC Bayern

4-2-3-1:

Neuer, Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanišić - Kimmich, Goretzka - Olise, Gnabry, Díaz - Kane

RB Leipzig:

For Leipzig, this season marks something of a reset. After finishing a disappointing 7th in the Bundesliga last year, missing out on Champions League qualification, the club has undergone a major summer overhaul.

Former Bremen coach Ole Werner has taken the helm, bringing a fresh philosophy focused on pressing, positional flexibility, and dynamic attacking patterns. Leipzig’s pre-season showed promise: they beat Sandhausen (4–2), Meuselwitz (3–0), Toulouse (7–0), and Lens (3–0), with narrow 2–1 defeats to Atalanta and Lens the only blemish. New system or not, the early signs suggest Werner has instilled energy and purpose.

In the transfer market, Leipzig were among the Bundesliga’s busiest clubs, investing heavily in youth and attacking flair. They spent around €112 million to bring in Ezechiel Banzuzi, Johan Bakayoko, Max Finkgräfe, Yan Diomande, Andrija Maksimović, Arthur Vermeeren and Brazilian striker Rômulo.These signings reflect the club’s long-term strategy of recruiting young, high-upside talent, while also reshaping the squad after several departures.

The most painful loss was star striker Benjamin Šeško, who joined Manchester United. With Yussuf Poulsen, André Silva, and Ilaix Moriba also leaving, Leipzig’s attacking line will look very different to last season. The future of Xavi Simons remains uncertain, with the Dutch playmaker linked to moves away, but for now he remains a key creative hub.

Ambition-wise, Leipzig’s goal is clear: to return to the Champions League places and re-establish themselves as Germany’s “best of the rest” behind Bayern. Their squad rebuild suggests a long-term project, but with the talent at Werner’s disposal - not least Loïs Openda, who scored five goals in pre-season - Leipzig remain capable of troubling any side on their day.

Team News:

Team news, however, could complicate matters for the opener. Leipzig are missing several important defensive players: Lukas Klostermann, Benjamin Henrichs, Tidiam Gomis, and Andrija Maksimović are all out, with Willi Orbán and goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi still facing fitness concerns. With El Chadaille Bitshiabu also unlikely to feature, Werner must juggle his backline in a way that doesn’t compromise his attacking approach. This defensive fragility could be exploited by Bayern’s firepower, especially with Díaz and Kane expected to start.

The Allianz Arena curtain-raiser pits a wounded but battle-ready Bayern Munich against a new-look Leipzig side still finding their feet. Bayern’s superiority in recent meetings, coupled with their attacking firepower, makes them clear favorites, though their defensive injuries provide a glimmer of hope for Leipzig.

If Werner’s men can disrupt Bayern’s midfield rhythm and unleash Openda’s pace on the counter, they may spring a surprise. Yet the balance of experience, squad depth, and mentality tips the scale toward Bayern, who will want to start their title defense with authority.

Predicted lineup: RB Leipzig

4-3-3:

Gulácsi - Baku, Orbán, Lukeba, Raum - Seiwald, Schlager, Xavi - Diomande, Openda, Bakayoko