Lothar Matthäus is optimistic about FC Bayern’s upcoming season. The all-time leading German international believes the Munich team is exceptionally well-positioned following their transfer activity so far and once again counts Vincent Kompany’s squad among the top contenders to win the Champions League.
FC Bayern is currently preparing for the new season at a training camp on Lake Tegernsee. While the team under Vincent Kompany is laying the groundwork for the coming months, Lothar Matthäus is also convinced that the Munich club has strengthened its roster wisely this summer.
In his column for Sky, the 65-year-old particularly praised the balance between experienced new signings and the targeted development of the club’s own talent.
With Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari, the record champions have signed two players who have already proven their quality both at the club level and at the World Cup. Matthäus singled out Brown in particular, describing him as one of the few German national team players who truly impressed with their World Cup performances.
Matthäus believes Bayern is in excellent shape
In the former Bayern captain’s view, the Munich team has by no means weakened this summer—quite the opposite. “Bayern hasn’t gotten any weaker,” Matthäus emphasized, while also pointing to the promising young players who have already made a name for themselves under Vincent Kompany. While Lennart Karl is certainly the most prominent example, other talented players have also proven that they can make the leap to the professional level.
Matthäus also doesn’t expect FC Bayern to lose any more of its key players.
He sees absolutely no risk of Michael Olise leaving, in particular. “I said weeks ago that I’m convinced Michael Olise will stay at FC Bayern. I never had any fear or feeling that they would let him go,” the Sky expert explained.
Only an extraordinary offer could change this situation at all. “Something really big, something really unethical would have to happen. But that won’t happen,” said Matthäus.
The Champions League remains the main goal
Precisely because the core of the team is staying together and, at the same time, targeted reinforcements have been added, Matthäus believes FC Bayern is once again capable of anything on the international stage. “The Munich team doesn’t have to adjust to anything new. They can continue to work together successfully under Kompany. They know each other, they trust one another, and they’ve also gained new options up front at the highest level,” explained the record-holding national team player.
For him, Bayern therefore once again belongs among the top favorites in the Champions League. “They don’t need to fear any team,” Matthäus made clear. At the same time, he pointed out that on the path to the Champions League trophy, luck plays a decisive role alongside quality.
Looking at the Bundesliga as well, Matthäus sees no serious doubts about the record champions’ status as favorites.
In his assessment, FC Bayern has the strongest roster in Germany and is therefore once again entering the new season as the clear title contender.
If Vincent Kompany manages to build on the positive momentum from his first season and quickly integrate the new signings, Matthäus believes the conditions are ideal for Munich not only to defend their championship but also to remain in contention for the Champions League title through the end of the season.