Bayern and Eintracht have delivered some fantastic matches over the years. - © DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga

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Bayern Munich vs. Eintracht Frankfurt: How do they stack up?

20.02.2025

Fresh from a stalemate against Bayer Leverkusen last week, record champions Bayern Munich now welcome Dino Toppmöller's high-flying Eintracht Frankfurt in a Super Sunday clash. Both sides will go out for three points to further their season's ambitions. bundesliga.com analyses how the two teams compare...

Battle of stern defences

Though their attack struggled to find its flow against Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 22, it became increasingly clear why Bayern Munich are the best defence in the Bundesliga.

Facing a grand total of 16 shots as their opponents attempted to test Manuel Neuer in goal, Vincent Kompany's defence managed to keep every threat contained.

Zooming out for this season, the record champions have conceded just 19 times overall, conceding more than one goal on only six occasions and losing just one of those ties. The Bavarians have won 55 out of a possible 66 points so far this season with 22 games played and with an eight-point difference between themselves and Leverkusen, their mission to regain the Meisterschale is very much on track.

As for Eintracht, their 29 goals conceded is the fifth-best defensive record in the division, tied for that position with RB Leipzig and Union Berlin. Though they have only amassed five clean sheets in the league this season, it is their defence that has been one of the key reasons for their solidity. Only Holstein Kiel (113) and Leipzig (103) have blocked more shots than Eintracht, who have shut out 97 attempts at their goal, with goalkeeper Kevin Trapp boasting the third-highest save percentage in the division at 76.2 per cent.

Watch: Manuel Neuer's top 5 saves

Goals guaranteed

The last five games between the pair have produced an average of 4.8 goals and if their attacking performances are anything to go by this season, we are well set for another goal-fest at the Allianz Arena.

Eintracht's tally of 49 goals this season is only bettered by Bayern, who have scored 65 themselves in the Bundesliga. The performances of the likes of Hugo Ekitiké and Omar Marmoush have forged Die Adler into one of the most exciting attacking units in the top flight. Since the Egyptian star's winter departure, Ekitiké has had no problems adjusting, and with the arrival of Elye Wahi and Michy Batshuayi, there is more depth now in attack for Eintracht. They have had little problem in hurting Bundesliga sides week in week out. As of matchday 22, they hold the record for the longest streak of goals scored in the top flight, finding the back of the next in each of their last 21 fixtures.

As for Bayern, their attacking prowess has gone up another level under Kompany's guidance. The league leaders have been able to rely on Harry Kane's consistent production in front of goal. The England captain has 21 goals already this season, but even if he is unable for this clash after coming off at half-time in Bayern's play-off second leg against Celtic, there is a stellar cast behind him who have chipped in already: Jamal Musiala has 10 strikes, Michael Olise and Leroy Sané have six goals each. Fifteen different outfield players have scored at least one goal this season for the league leaders as they have sourced goals from across all departments on the pitch.

Watch: Record king Harry Kane

Germany's past and present

This clash will also feature two German midfield maestros who are at the opposite ends of their careers: Mario Götze and Musiala.

Recently penning a new deal with Bayern to take his contract up to 2030, Musiala is set to be the posterboy of present and future successes at the Allianz Arena. The 21-year-old has 10 goals and two assists to his name so far this season, taking a more proactive role in Kompany's attack this term. His manager has compared him to greats like Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho in the past, and with the moments he has produced this season, it is hard to argue against that kind of praise.

In the Eintracht camp, Götze too enjoyed similar success in his yesteryears as Musiala does today. These days, the 32-year-old is revelling in a reinvented role in Toppmöller's team, allowing others around to flourish thanks to his game intelligence and ability to play in tight spaces.

"He's a great boy who is just really good for us because he has this amazing calm on the ball," said the Eagles' coach in an interview with FAZ. The World Cup-winning midfielder can now be found dictating play from deeper areas on the pitch and using his experience at the highest level to great effect in a young Eintracht side. They are after all the youngest in the German top-flight, with an average age of just 24.7. Which is where experienced heads like Götze prove their value.

Watch: Mario Götze still going strong

French Royalty in both camps

Attacks on both teams have been thriving with fresh impetus from young French talents in the form of Ekitiké and Olise, who have both been in dazzling form.

Eintracht are yet to lose a Bundesliga game since the winter break, chalking up seven games unbeaten so far. Of those seven ties, star striker Ekitiké has found the back of the net in four games, putting to rest any concerns of his form without Marmoush. Furthermore, the France U21 international has also assisted three goals in the league.

Looking at his numbers across all competitions, he already has 17 goals and six assists to his name, well on course for a 20-plus goal season or even better by the end. No doubt he will look forward to giving Dayot Upamecano a test in this tie, with the Bayern defender recording a personal best 63 per cent duels won rate this season.

As for Robin Koch and Co., they will have the talents of Olise to keep an eye on. By all counts, the Bayern winger has had a stellar first season in German football. With 11 goals and nine assists in all competitions, he is likely to reach double figures in both categories in the Bundesliga this term, notching six and seven respectively across 22 appearances.

“Michael is a cerebral player, he’s a thinker. The most important thing I see in him is that he’s obsessed with work. We have more players who want to learn more. That gives us energy. He is one of those players who always wants to improve,” said Kompany in praise of the 23-year-old France international.

With game-deciding players on both sides of the camp, the latest chapter of Bayern v Eintracht promises to be another blockbuster.

Watch: The amazing similarities between Arjen Robben and Michael Olise