Bayern’s big summer gamble: Kompany’s preseason without new faces | OneFootball

Bayern Munich will begin their preseason preparations on July 28, with a series of friendlies and competitive fixtures signaling a busy August, according to Bavarian Football Works. The club's preseason opener is scheduled for August 2 at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern will face Olympique Lyonnais—a side recently involved in off-field controversy after temporarily being relegated to Ligue 2 before winning an appeal to remain in Ligue 1.

Five days later, Tottenham Hotspur arrive in Munich for a second home friendly on August 7. Bayern then travel to Switzerland to take on Grasshopper Zürich on August 12, providing Head Coach Vincent Kompany with valuable opportunities to integrate his philosophy and evaluate squad options in match conditions.

Competitive action begins with the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against Stuttgart on August 16, followed closely by the Bundesliga’s first matchday meeting with RB Leipzig at home on August 22. The calendar also features a friendly with the fan club “Red Eagles Austria” on August 23 and a DFB Pokal first-round away tie against Wehen Wiesbaden on August 27.

This preseason is seen as particularly significant, given Bayern’s subdued transfer activity so far. Despite the window opening at the start of July, the club has yet to announce new signings, a situation that has prompted some concern among supporters and commentators. The transfer market remains open until September 1, allowing Bayern time to strengthen—especially in attack—but the lack of early reinforcements means Kompany is set to work with a largely familiar group as preseason gets underway.

The need for fresh faces is underscored by Bayern’s recent struggles, notably their 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final, which left many questioning the squad’s depth and attacking options. Integration of new arrivals during preseason is widely regarded as crucial for a strong start to the Bundesliga campaign. At present, however, the club finds itself at risk of entering the new season without the additional quality that many feel is required, according to Bavarian Football Works.

Preseason will thus serve a dual purpose: preparing the squad for competitive action and providing a window for any incoming transfers to settle quickly. All eyes will be on both the performances on the field and any movement off it, as Bayern look to regroup and push for silverware in the months ahead.