After finishing last season without any trophies for the first time in 12 years, Bayern Munich chiefs unsurprisingly decided to make major changes to the squad ahead of the 2024/25 season. With less than a week left in the transfer window, the squad overhaul hasn’t quite gone according to plan. However, Bayern still managed to make some significant personnel changes to the squad, in terms of both incoming and outgoing players.
With one matchday of the new season having been completed and the transfer window winding down, let us focus on what may be Vincent Kompany’s preferred starting XI and supporting cast. We kick off this three-part series with a look at the goalkeeper and the defense.
Goalkeeper
Despite recently announcing his retirement from international football, Manuel Neuer is indisputably Bayern’s number one choice in goal. Last season Neuer had a few spills along the way, none more regrettable than in the Champions League against eventual winners Real Madrid.
Nonetheless, the 38-year-old sweeper keeper bounced back from the Champions League disappointment to have an outstanding Euro 2024, despite once again being halted at the quarter-final stage by the eventual winners, Spain.
Neuer is currently under contract with Bayern for just the current season. In what may very well be his last season with Rekordmeister, fans should not be surprised to see Neuer at his best for one more trophy-laden season.
Backing up Neuer will be the ever-reliable 36-year-old Sven Ulreich. Like Neuer, his current contract expires 30 June 2025.