Bayern Munich's mood before September is not very optimistic. Coach Vincent Kompany missed two of his top transfer targets, Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade.
Meanwhile, the "Gray Tigers" almost had to suffer a big shock when facing Wehen Wiesbaden - the third-tier team - in round 1 of DFB-Pokal. Fortunately, Harry Kane scored the decisive goal in the extra time to help Bayern escape the embarrassment.
Wirtz is seen as a short-term ideal replacement and a long-term partner for Jamal Musiala, who is out at least until the end of the year after suffering a broken leg at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. However, the Bayer Leverkusen star chose to join Liverpool, which is considered a testament to Bayern's decline in position among the top teams in Europe.
That assessment was further fueled by Bayern's almost 3-goal advantage and their only struggling 3-2 win over Augsburg on 30 August. Public opinion at that time believed that Kompany could help the home team defend the Bundesliga title, but was not good enough to compete in the Champions League.
However, just over 2 months later, the "Gray Tigers" made everyone change their minds. They have a perfect record after the first 15 matches of the 2025-2026 season - the best start series in the history of Europe's top 5 tournaments.
Bayern are currently leading the Bundesliga with 33 goals and conceding only 4 goals, and are second in the Champions League table after defeating Chelsea 3-1, Pafos 5-1 and Club Brugge 4-0 respectively.
The reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain are temporarily leading with 13 goals compared to Bayern Munich's 12 goals after the first three matches. However, Kompany's side will have the opportunity to make a statement about their ambitions when they travel to Parc des Princes to face Luis Enrique's PSG.
Another victory - the 16th consecutive - will help Die Roten affirm their leading candidate for the championship, while completing a spectacular transformation in a short time.
Kompany seems to have breathed new life into the Bavarian team. And if Bayern continue to conquer their immediate goals, it will be difficult for any opponent to stop them on their journey to conquer all competitions this season.
PSG will be Bayern's toughest test of the season. Kompany's side were previously beaten 0-2 by Ligue 1 champions in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals, but this time they travel to the Parc des Princes with a completely different mindset - confident, brave and full of desire.
Enrique's team continues to show impressive form in the Champions League, with overwhelming victories over Barcelona, Atalanta and Leverkusen. However, in Ligue 1, PSG showed instability when they were held to draws by Marseille, Lorient, Strasbourg and Lille.
Injuries are also making it difficult for the Parc des Princes team. Ousmane Dembele is uncertain to play, Desire Doue is out for a long time due to a torn muscle, and Illia Zabarnyi is suspended. Although Marquinhos has returned, with the destructive attacks of Harry Kane, Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, PSG's defense will certainly have to stretch themselves to defend.
A draw could satisfy both teams, but Kompany insists Bayern will "play their best to win". It is that spirit that has helped him gain the trust of fans and experts.
"Bayern won the draw with Kompany. He brings the openness, honesty and unity that the club has lost for many years," legend Lothar Matthaus once commented.
If Bayern keep Parc des Princes quiet, their dream of a seventh Champions League will not be far away.
