Bayern Munich stand alone as Europe’s last unbeaten top-flight team

Bayern Munich stand alone as Europe's last unbeaten top-flight team

Bayern Munich have emerged as the only unbeaten side across Europe's top five leagues this season, following Atalanta's 1-0 defeat to Udinese in Serie A on Saturday. Hours later, the German champions dismantled Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Bundesliga, extending their flawless domestic record to nine wins in nine matches-conceding just four goals in the process.

A dominant start amid shifting expectations

While the Bundesliga has often been dismissed as a one-horse race, recent seasons told a different story. Bayern faced stiff competition from Borussia Dortmund and Leverkusen, narrowly clinching the 2022-23 title in the final minutes before surrendering it to Leverkusen last term. That volatility extended to the managerial hot seat, where instability became the norm-until Vincent Kompany's arrival.

The Belgian, who signed a contract extension through 2029 earlier this month, is the first Bayern boss since Louis van Gaal in 2010 to earn an early renewal. His tenure marks a departure from the club's recent trend of short-lived appointments under Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel, and others-coaches who delivered domestic success but fell short in the Champions League, a competition where Bayern's hierarchy and supporters demand elite contention.

Kompany's tactical imprint and squad depth on display

Bayern's 3-0 rout of Leverkusen was particularly striking for Kompany's squad rotation. With Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Luis Díaz benched for rest, the manager fielded a rotated lineup that included 17-year-old attacking midfielder Lennart Karl. The youngster's left-footed flair contributed to a first-half blitz that saw Bayern lead 3-0 by halftime before easing off-an ominous sign for opponents, given Leverkusen's ongoing rebuild after losing Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Granit Xhaka this summer.

The victory also completed a sweep of Bayern's three biggest domestic rivals: Leverkusen, RB Leipzig (thrashed 6-0 on the opening day), and Dortmund. Though Leipzig sit just five points behind in second, Kompany's focus may now shift to Tuesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain-a litmus test following their 3-1 dismantling of Chelsea in September.

Guardiola's influence and a united dressing room

Kompany's tactical approach bears the hallmarks of his former manager, Pep Guardiola. The emphasis on positional play, fluid rotations, and zonal occupation-staples of Guardiola's philosophy-has evolved under Kompany. Where last season's rigid positional patterns gave way to static attacks, this year's side dynamically interchanges roles, overwhelming defenses with movement into dangerous areas.

Joshua Kimmich, a holdover from Guardiola's 2013-16 tenure, contrasted the current squad's cohesion with the star-studded but ego-driven teams of a decade ago.

"Back then, we had 23, 24, 25 world-class players, but more individualism," Kimmich said post-match. "Now, we play for each other-running, covering, sacrificing. That's rare, and it's why we're so strong."

Kane's humility and Bayern's quiet confidence

Harry Kane embodies the team's selfless ethos. Despite leading the Bundesliga with 12 goals and netting 22 times in 15 club games this season, the England captain avoids the spotlight. His partnership with Díaz has produced a league-high 30 shots apiece, yet Kane's focus remains on collective success-a mentality that has silenced pre-season whispers of internal discord, particularly around transfer chief Max Eberl.

Injury returns from Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies will further bolster Kompany's squad, though the immediate challenge lies in Paris. A potential Champions League setback may loom, but with a manager instilling tactical clarity and a dressing room united in purpose, Bayern's trajectory suggests they're built for the long haul-both domestically and in Europe.