How Bayern Munich might line up in the 2026 Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich will look to claim their first trophy of the 2026/27 season when they travel to Borussia Dortmund for the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup this weekend, but will head coach Vincent Kompany field a full-strength line-up at Signal Iduna Park?
Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Tom Bischof and Konrad Laimer were all rested in Tuesday’s 4-2 win at Bundesliga 2 side Heidenheim, while Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano were only given 30 minutes on their return from extended post-World Cup breaks.
Neuer and Kimmich are expected to start in the first Klassiker of the 2026/27 campaign, but even if the likes of Kane and Olise have to settle for a place on the bench, Kompany still has a wealth of talent to choose from. Here are the Belgian boss's biggest quandaries ahead of the game…
Watch: Luis Díaz lights up 2025 Supercup
Attacking trio to be unleashed?
Luis Díaz has been in sensational form since returning from his FIFA World Cup 2026 exploits with Colombia, but will the winger be joined in the starting XI by the other two star members of Bayern’s fearsome front three?
Olise, who enjoyed a superb World Cup campaign with France, made an immediate impact after coming off the bench against Heidenheim, setting up Díaz for Bayern’s third of the match. Dortmund, naturally, are likely to provide a much sterner test than Frank Schmidt’s side, but Olise appears ready to hit the ground running.
Kane, too, was lively after entering the fray at the Voith-Arena and will perhaps feel a little disappointed not to have made the scoresheet, having missed two presentable chances late on. The England captain rarely goes two games without finding the net, though, and will no doubt be desperate to open his account for the season at the earliest opportunity.
Watch: All Kane's goals in 2025/26
Saibari debut?
Ismael Saibari was brought on to replace Tom Bischof in Saturday’s 3-1 win over RB Leipzig and promptly teed up Jamal Musiala for Bayern’s third goal.
The Morocco international, who joined the Bavarians from PSV Eindhoven in the summer, adds further depth to an attack already brimming with star talent, and will surely play a major role as the season progresses - but he can be quietly confident of making his full competitive debut at Signal Iduna Park.
Musiala’s availability remains up in the air after being forced off against Leipzig and Heidenheim with what the 23-year-old later described as a “neurological disfunction”. Despite insisting that he is “on the right track” in terms of full fitness, Kompany may prefer not to risk him in Dortmund.
With Lennart Karl and Serge Gnabry still working their way back from injuries, Saibari might just get the nod.
Watch: Saibari stars in Telekom Cup
Pavlović or Bischof?
Kimmich is widely expcted to return to the starting XI against Niko Kovač’s side, but who will partner the 31-year-old in the champions’ double pivot?
Bischof has featured regularly in his preferred holding midfield position in pre-season, having filled out at left-back on several occasions during the 2025/26 campaign. Whether the 21-year-old has done enough to beat Aleksandar Pavlović to a starting berth remains to be seen, however.
Pavlović and Kimmich helped control the tempo against Leipzig, with Bischof operating in a more advanced role in a 4-3-3 system at the Allianz Arena. Kompany, though, is expected to revert to his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation in Dortmund, meaning one of Pavlović or Bischof may have to settle for a place among the substitutes.
Watch: Bischof 'open to anything'
Full-back options aplenty
Josip Stanišić missed Bayern’s victory over Leipzig through illness, but the Croatia international returned for the final half an hour of Tuesday’s triumph at the Voith-Arena.
Sacha Boey started the 4-2 win but is behind in the pecking order both Stanišic and Laimer - who only recently returned to full training after suffering a thigh injury against Martín Demichelis’ charges, leaving Stanišic in prime position to start at Signal Iduna Park.
If neither Stanišić, nor Laimer are deemed fit enough, Nathaniel Brown is more than capable of deputising at right back. Ideally though, the summer signing - who scored his second goal of pre-season against Heidenheim - will start on the left side of central defensive duo Upamecano and Jonathan Tah, with fit-again Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito waiting in reserve.
