Calm Kompany helps Bayern prosper as Kane and Olise shine

A case in point was the 3-2 win at Freiburg earlier this month when youngsters Tom Bischof and Lennart Karl netted in stoppage time to turn defeat into victory.

Kompany's management of the young pair has been widely praised. They have both contributed more than expected, with midfielder Bischof converted to a left back and 18-year-old Karl showing real maturity.

The club wanted Kompany to integrate young players more and he has followed orders without piling too much pressure on them.

The winger has been rewarded with a Germany call-up and expected World Cup place after just one full season in the Bayern first-team, a journey which began in the Club World Cup in June where Kompany's team shone before a tight quarter-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

That game was where Jamal Musiala broke his leg and was ruled out for months. The playmaker has recently been itching to get back as a starter, but Kompany has taken his time with the 23-year-old star.

Rushing Musiala back was appealing given his skills. Kompany though put his long-term health first.

Kane and Olise push on

Bayern were good last term but this season they have been world class, with Harry Kane scoring 32 goals so far to again top the Bundesliga scoring charts and outstrip his 26 in 2024-25.

Kane has scored crucial goals as well, including two in the 3-2 win at only rivals Borussia Dortmund in February which confirmed Bayern as likely champions.

He has also stood out as a senior player alongside Joshua Kimmich, arguably taking on the mantle of former Bayern icon Thomas Müller, urging on his team-mates without going overboard. He has also dealt with the media more, but his lack of German is the only flaw.

The England captain has been helped by a league-high 18 assists from winger Michael Olise, who increasingly looks like the buy of the decade after joining from Crystal Palace in 2024.

"He is going to be a big player for us, for sure," Kane told CBS.

Other big sides were looking at the now-France international but the Premier League let him slip through its grasp. Now Olise may rival Arjen Robben as one of the great Bayern widemen, cutting inside on to his left foot and causing havoc just like the ex-Netherlands star.

The defence deserves praise too. Jonathan Tah settled in straight away after his move from Leverkusen and Dayot Upamecano has reduced his errors and stuck at it during an initial contract impasse.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, at 40, has yet to decide if he will retire after another mixed season in terms of performance and injury. Jonas Urbig was nervy last term but has looked more composed this term as Neuer's deputy and possible successor, earning a Germany call-up.

Neuer says he is not basing his retirement decision on titles, but if Bayern were to also win the German Cup and Champions League in the coming weeks, going out on such a high may be too tempting.

Keeping hold of Kompany would be a bigger Bayern priority.

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany (R) and assistant coach Aaron Danks walk across the field ahead of the German Bundesliga championship trophy ahead of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena. Tom Weller/dpa

Bayern Munich's Harry Kane sits on the bench during the German Bundesliga championship trophy ahead of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena. Tom Weller/dpa