Following the 0-0 draw at FC Schalke 04, FC Bayern has relinquished its lead in the Bundesliga standings for the first time since September 2024. After two matchdays, the Munich team has four points. However, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen does not view the increased competition in the top flight of German soccer as entirely negative.
On SPORT1’s “Doppelpass,” Dreesen discussed the impact a tight title race could have on the record champions. In his view, the team needs regular competitive pressure to consistently perform at its highest level.
“Competition is really good for us, and we need a challenge in the league,” explained the 59-year-old.
These remarks are quite remarkable. Bayern has dominated the Bundesliga for long stretches in recent years. For Dreesen, however, a comfortable lead does not automatically translate into an advantage when it comes to the major challenges in the Champions League.
Dreesen recalls the Guardiola experience
In this context, the Bayern boss recalled the 2014–15 season under Pep Guardiola. At that time, Munich had qualified for the Champions League semifinals. In the Bundesliga, the then-Bayern coach made numerous lineup changes against FC Augsburg.
“We had qualified for the Champions League semifinals—and he fielded a B-team against Augsburg. Of course, we lost—and we also lost the Champions League semifinal,” said Dreesen.
For the CEO, this experience shows that a team’s form cannot simply be managed through targeted rest periods and rotation. Resting players for a major international match does not automatically mean they’ll be able to perform at their peak just a few days later.
“I don’t think you can calculate it that way. And I also don’t think you can manage the players’ workload with such precision that they can deliver exactly their peak performance and give 100 percent in the Champions League,” Dreesen emphasized.
“It spurs us on to play even better”
Instead, the Bayern boss sees an advantage in being constantly challenged even in the day-to-day routine of the Bundesliga. Close competition can ensure that the team doesn’t slack off and is regularly pushed to its limits.
“That’s why competition is good for us. It spurs us on to play even better,” Dreesen explained.
The away game at Schalke already showed just how quickly Bayern can drop points in the Bundesliga. Despite a clear advantage in possession and several chances, Vincent Kompany’s team couldn’t find a way to score the decisive goal against the newly promoted side.
The draw also had an impact on the standings. After 67 consecutive Bundesliga matchdays at the top, the German record champions are no longer in first place for the first time since September 1, 2024.