Vincent Kompany has revealed the Bayern Munich starting lineup for the Bundesliga opener against VfB Stuttgart. The manager has opted for Dayot Upamecano and Min-jae Kim in central defence, surprisingly benching Germany international Jonathan Tah. This is reported by Bild in their preview of Friday night's match.
The fixture on Friday at 20:30 marks the start of the 64th Bundesliga season and will be broadcast live on Sky and Sat.1. The record champions begin their title defence, having started the previous season with a 6-0 opening win against RB Leipzig. Just last Saturday, Kompany's team secured the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup with a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Who starts in the Bayern defence?
The central defence will be formed by the 27-year-old Dayot Upamecano and the 29-year-old Min-jae Kim. The 30-year-old Jonathan Tah, signed from Leverkusen last summer, will begin the match on the substitutes' bench. Josip Stanisic (26) is also not in the starting eleven. On the left flank, the 25-year-old Alphonso Davies starts as usual. In front of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic complete the midfield.
In attack, Kompany trusts new playmaker Nathaniel Brown. The 23-year-old moved from Eintracht Frankfurt to Munich in the summer for a transfer fee of 50 million euros and operates in the attacking midfield behind striker Harry Kane. Brown is flanked by Michael Olise and Lamine Yamal. The complete lineup is: Neuer; Laimer, Kim, Upamecano, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Brown, Yamal; Kane.
What role does new signing Nathaniel Brown play?
The inclusion of Nathaniel Brown as the central playmaker is a tactical decision by the 40-year-old manager. Brown is expected to orchestrate the team's attacks with his creativity and passing, providing the link between midfield and attack. His signing for 50 million euros underscores the confidence the club's decision-makers have in his potential. During pre-season, the young German already showed promising signs.
They face a rejuvenated Stuttgart side under coach Sebastian Hoeneß. Goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow is protected by a back three of Maxime Chabot, Leon Jeltsch and Justin Hendriks. In midfield, Hoeneß relies on the experience of Grischa Prömel and Angelo Stiller. The offensive burden is carried by wingers Tiago Tomas and Josha Vagnoman, plus strikers Deniz Undav and Aleksandar Pejcinovic.
What does the lineup mean for the season?
Kompany's decision to go with the established duo of Upamecano and Kim signals continuity in defence. However, benching Tah shows that competition for places is fierce and the manager remains flexible. By integrating Brown, Kompany is giving a young talent the nod and betting on fresh ideas in the creative department.
A look at the squad page reveals the depth available to Bayern Munich this season. For fans, our fixtures schedule provides an overview of all upcoming competitive matches. The first major test arrives next week with the start of the Champions League group stage. Until then, the team aims to lay the foundation for a successful title defence with a commanding win against Stuttgart.
