On the trip to Bayer Leverkusen, bayern munich arrive with headline questions about fitness and form: Harry Kane could return after a week of training, while veteran goalkeeper Sven Ulreich is set to make his first appearance since January 2025 as injuries pile up. The club come into the weekend riding domestic dominance and recent high-scoring results in Europe, but the selection sheet is forcing cautious decisions from head coach Vincent Kompany.
Will bayern munich start Harry Kane against Leverkusen?
Short answer: possibly. Vincent Kompany said, “There’s a chance he’ll play tomorrow. He’s had a full week of training. ” Kane had missed the 4-1 win at home over Borussia Monchengladbach because of a calf complaint and was an unused substitute in a 6-1 away victory in the Champions League last 16 first leg. Kompany emphasised a cautious approach: “We haven’t taken any risks with him. We can’t afford to relax, even if we are 11 points in front. If Harry is fit, he’ll play. We’ll collate more information on him today. ” That combination of measured optimism and careful monitoring explains why Kane has been named among substitutes in recent matches but remains very much part of the game plan if fitness permits.
Why is Sven Ulreich starting for Bayern Munich?
Manuel Neuer’s absence compounded by an injury to back-up goalkeeper Jonas Urbig has opened the door for Sven Ulreich. Kompany described Ulreich as “a solid character and a solid goalkeeper, ” noting that Ulreich has “played a lot of games during his career” and that the coaching staff has “full confidence in our lads. ” The veteran will make his first appearance since January 2025, a choice framed as pragmatic rather than headline-grabbing: “We’re not increasing the pressure on him, he’s not the centre of attention. ” The club’s immediate response has been to frame the move as stabilising — Ulreich has done well in training and is expected to provide reliable cover as the team navigates a congested schedule.
How are injuries and selection choices shaping the trip to Leverkusen?
The squad list is being dictated as much by who is unavailable as by form. Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies remain out of contention; reports list Davies with a hamstring strain and other defenders recovering from muscle injuries. Defensive reshuffles have placed Josip Stanisic and Konrad Laimer at full-back roles alongside Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah in the centre. In midfield, Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic are set to anchor the engine room while Leon Goretzka is among the substitutes. Up front, Vincent Kompany has shown faith in Nicolas Jackson by keeping him in the starting XI, a decision that has seen Harry Kane begin matches from the bench in consecutive games, with the England captain likely to be introduced as a second-half option when fitness and match context allow.
Beyond the dressing room, Kompany has warned that the opponent will present tactical challenges. He described Leverkusen’s shape as a 5-2-3 with Ernest Poku sometimes moving into midfield to add pressure, and noted that Leverkusen had not beaten Bayern since February 2024. Their recent Champions League draw against Arsenal suggests a team difficult to break down, making the trip a stern test despite Bayern’s 11-point cushion at the top of the Bundesliga table. Kompany added that Bayern will need to be aggressive to secure a result.
On the broader front, the club remains engaged on multiple fronts: domestic competition, the Champions League and the national cup level. Squad management — from protecting Kane’s fitness to trusting experienced deputies — is the immediate tactical and medical response to a season with heavy demands.
Back on the eve of the match, with Kompany still “collating information” about his captain and with Sven Ulreich preparing to step into the spotlight, bayern munich face a moment where careful choices matter as much as big names. Whether Kane emerges from the bench or starts, the selection decisions made now will shape both the match and the club’s momentum in a congested campaign.
