Bayern v Dortmund: Kompany and Kovac – from risky bets to success stories | OneFootball

When Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening, it won’t just be first against second in the table – it will also be a meeting of two coaches who were long seen as stopgap solutions. Today, Vincent Kompany and Niko Kovac are leading their teams to the top of the Bundesliga.

It’s that time again: Der Klassiker electrifies the Bundesliga. Bayern want to extend their winning streak and widen the gap to BVB, while Dortmund will do everything to keep the title race open. A win for the record champions would stretch the lead to seven points – a huge psychological advantage.

But beyond the sporting fireworks, the spotlight is also on a duel between two coaches who earned respect through hard work. Vincent Kompany and Niko Kovac – two managers who were met with skepticism upon appointment and are now seen as symbols of success.

Kompany: From risk to record machine

Photo: IMAGO

When Vincent Kompany arrived on Säbener Straße in the summer of 2024, he was a surprise choice for many. The Belgian had led Burnley to the Premier League but went straight back down with the club. His appointment at Bayern was therefore seen as a gamble – an experiment under massive pressure.

But Kompany didn’t need long to dispel all doubts. Over the past 12 months, he has molded the record champions into a perfectly synchronized unit. The numbers speak volumes: In 40 Bundesliga matches under his leadership, Bayern lost only twice – a sensational defeat rate of just five percent.

With 100 points from those games (2.5 per match), Kompany is on a par with Pep Guardiola. But in terms of goals scored, he even surpasses his former mentor: 3.1 goals per game is the best mark in the Bundesliga. Under Kompany, Bayern have sat atop the table in 38 of the last 40 league matches – a dominance reminiscent of the golden Guardiola years.

Kovac: From false start to Bayern chaser

Niko Kovac’s start in Dortmund, by contrast, was anything but smooth. When the Croatian took over in February, BVB were on the brink. Four defeats in the first six matches caused unrest and criticism – but Kovac kept calm, made adjustments, and gave the team a clear structure.

With a blend of discipline, team unity, and tactical flexibility, he got BVB back on track. The reward: Champions League qualification at the last second.

Photo: IMAGO

Since then, the form curve has been pointing sharply upward. Under Kovac, Dortmund have won 13 of their 20 Bundesliga matches – a 65 percent win rate and an average of 2.1 points per game. No coach in BVB’s recent history has been more successful. And Dortmund convince offensively as well: With 47 goals in 20 matches, they boast the league’s second-best attack – only Bayern score more (62).

A look at the “Kovac table,” the points tally since he took charge, shows the dominance of both teams. Bayern lead with 49 points from 20 matches, Dortmund follow with 42. Both are well ahead of chasers like Leverkusen (35) and Freiburg (33).

Kovac has forged a cohesive unit out of a shaken squad, one that matches the record champions again in terms of stability and mentality. His BVB are defensively compact, offensively versatile – and, after months of uncertainty, believe in themselves again.

Both coaches share a similar story: They weren’t hired as the first-choice solutions, but as alternatives after other candidates declined. Yet necessity became virtue – and skepticism turned into success.

Kompany has ushered in a new era of control and dominance at Bayern, while Kovac has shaped a Dortmund side that finally believes in itself again.

On Saturday evening in Munich, the two successful coaches meet – each with his own story, both with the same goal: the next step toward the title.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.