Is Bayern the team to beat this year?

November 7, 2025 Oliver Obel

For much of the past decade, Bayern have been a constant presence among Europe’s elite, yet rarely the outright favorites. Manchester City’s tactical precision, Real Madrid’s ruthlessness, and Liverpool’s intensity have often defined the modern Champions League era. But this season feels different.

Under Vincent Kompany, Bayern are playing with a balance that blends all three of those identities — City’s control, Madrid’s self-belief, and Liverpool’s relentlessness. Their unbeaten run now stretches to 16 games across all competitions, and crucially, their Champions League performances have come against the best.

According to Reuters, Bayern have already beaten both the reigning European and world champions — PSG and Chelsea — in their opening two group matches. That’s not form; that’s dominance across continents.

The win that changed the narrative

Bayern’s night in Paris was a showcase of adaptability. For the first 40 minutes, they were dazzling — pressing high, transitioning fast, and scoring twice through Luis Díaz. Then came the turning point: a reckless challenge on Achraf Hakimi saw Díaz sent off after a VAR review by referee Maurizio Mariani, as noted by ESPN’s match report.

The easy narrative would have been Bayern folding under pressure. Instead, they pivoted. Kompany’s men dropped into a compact shape, defended with control, and absorbed PSG’s attacks without panic. Manuel Neuer, at 39, delivered another vintage performance, while Harry Kane’s tireless defending from the front symbolized Bayern’s collective commitment.

What was once a flair team became, for 45 minutes, a defensive machine. That kind of range — the ability to both dazzle and dig in — is what makes Champions League winners.

A Europe without a clear rival

Look across the competition, and Bayern’s trajectory stands out even more.

Manchester City remain formidable, but their early inconsistencies in the Premier League and a less imposing European start suggest a side in transition. Real Madrid, as always, are a threat — but their dependence on Jude Bellingham’s heroics hints at imbalance. Arsenal and Liverpool look strong but still lack the continental experience Bayern’s core has built over years of deep runs.

Then there’s PSG, last year’s champions, who have already been exposed at home. As AP Sports observed, “Bayern’s ten men looked more cohesive than PSG’s eleven,” a line that sums up the gulf in maturity between the two sides.

In this context, Bayern’s efficiency, squad depth, and psychological resilience give them a profile few others can match. They don’t just win; they impose their rhythm.

Kompany’s quiet revolution

Credit must go to Kompany, whose first months in charge have been defined by subtle but crucial evolution. He’s instilled a tactical flexibility reminiscent of Pep Guardiola’s structure but anchored in the collective discipline of his own playing days.

Bayern can attack in waves or manage a game minute by minute. Their midfield trio — Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and Serge Gnabry — has developed the intelligence to control tempo, while new additions like Díaz and Michael Olise have added unpredictability in the final third.

Kompany’s message to his squad, relayed by Reuters post-match, was simple: every win resets the standard, not the expectation. That mentality is spreading fast.

What makes Bayern different this time

Bayern’s recent Champions League campaigns have often been undone by imbalance — all attack, little resilience. But this version feels complete. Neuer’s leadership at the back, Kane’s maturity up front, and the reemergence of Dayot Upamecano as a commanding center-back have restored equilibrium.

Even with ten men, they dictated terms in Paris. They didn’t rely on luck or last-ditch defending; they relied on structure. Every player knew their role, and no one panicked. That calm under pressure is what separates Champions League hopefuls from winners.

The road ahead

It’s early, yes — group stages never crown champions. But the signs are hard to ignore. Bayern have already navigated two of their toughest fixtures with maximum points, showing both artistry and endurance.

If they maintain this level, only a handful of teams can realistically stop them — and even those would need to catch them on an off night. Kompany has turned Bayern into something more than a superclub: a side with identity, hunger, and balance.

The question no longer feels rhetorical.
Bayern Munich might truly be the team to beat in this year’s Champions League.

Sources: ESPN, Reuters, Associated Press