Bayern Munich: a fairly laborious start to the season in the Bundesliga and Champions League

Bayern Munich are struggling to find consistency at the start of the 2026-2027 season. In both the league and the Champions League, Vincent Kompany's men are dropping points, with defensive difficulties costing them dearly at decisive moments.

Bayern Munich have not yet found their cruising speed. Accustomed to imposing their dominance on the domestic and European stages, the Bavarian club are experiencing a more laborious start to the season than expected. In the Bundesliga, Bayern have already drawn two matches and are not at the top of the standings. In the Champions League, their trip to Norway on Tuesday, October 13, confirmed these difficulties.

Against Viking Stavanger, Bayern had to settle for a spectacular 3-3 draw, despite appearing to have done the hardest part. Trailing 2-0 at half-time after goals from Gianni Stensness and Peter Christiansen, the Bavarians turned the situation around in the second half. Harry Kane scored twice in the 54th and 60th minutes, before Luis Díaz put his side ahead in the 71st minute.

But Bayern once again lacked composure. Reduced to ten men after Michael Olise was sent off in the 74th minute, they conceded the equaliser in the 90th minute through Herman Haugen. Despite clear territorial dominance, with 73% possession and 13 shots to their opponent's 3, the German club were unable to hold on to their lead.

A defence struggling to inspire confidence

This scenario recalls the difficulties encountered a few days earlier in the Bundesliga. Against Augsburg, Bayern had already let two points slip away after drawing 2-2. Vincent Kompany's team had notably conceded a goal after just 8.4 seconds, in an action that highlighted their concentration problems from the very start.

These two results raise questions about Bayern's ability to control matches for 90 minutes. While their attacking potential remains considerable, defensive errors and lapses in concentration are making their matches more difficult, including when they manage to take the lead.

In the league, the Bavarian club must also contend with competition that is preventing them from settling at the top of the standings. The points dropped along the way are already weighing on the start of their campaign.

Kompany under pressure

For Vincent Kompany, the work concerns both defensive solidity and managing difficult spells. Bayern have the attacking resources to come back in a match, as their turnaround against Viking Stavanger demonstrated. They must now learn to protect their leads and avoid the mistakes that give their opponents a way back into matches.

The upcoming schedule will quickly provide an indication of their ability to turn the situation around. Bayern will host RB Leipzig on October 17 in the Bundesliga, before facing Arsenal in the Champions League on October 21. Two fixtures that will demand greater discipline against opponents capable of punishing the slightest lapse.

Read also: Bayern Munich seriously considering a move for a Barcelona player!

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

Related teams and leagues

Bayern Munich

Bundesliga Germany

Champions League