Fresh off the 4-0 dismantling of Tottenham in the 2025 Telekom Cup, Bayern Munich will head to Zürich for their final preseason match against Grasshopper from the Swiss Super League. This will be the final tune-up for Bayern ahead of Saturday’s Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against DFL-Pokal winner, Stuttgart.
Bayern and Grasshopper have never met in a competitive match. However, this will be the third preseason friendly meeting between the clubs. Back in 2007, Grasshopper held Bayern to a 0-0 draw. Last summer, Bayern ran away with a 4-0 win behind goals from Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Mathys Tel, and Thomas Müller.
Grasshopper last won a title in the 2013 Swiss Cup final. The club has failed to finish in the top half of the table for the past seven seasons. The club was recently acquired by MLS side LAFC last year and hope to quickly turn their fortunes around.
Kompany hates to rest his starters but also wants to protect the injury prone players in a meaningless friendly. The expected starters will play for 30-45 minutes and then the bench will be emptied. Kingsley Coman will be held out to prevent any issues with his potential move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.
Sacha Boey has played well enough in the preseason to earn an honorary start. Tom Bischof needs to get some minutes with the regular starters to prove he is a good fit. It is also possible that Michael Olise or Luis Díaz are replaced by Lennart Karl. Manuel Neuer was the only player who stayed on the pitch for 90 minutes against Tottenham, which means Jonas Urbig will likely get the same treatment against Grasshopper.
Bayern fans will be clamoring for their last look at the promising youngsters. This includes Karl, Cassiano Kiala, David Daiber, Jonah Kusi-Asare, Wisdom Mike, Felipe Chavez, and Magnus Dalpiaz.
Grasshopper plays a variety of different formations and might even throw out three center-backs in the friendly. Bayern loanee Lovro Zvonarek will be featured as an attacking midfielder.
Let’s jump in and talk about what you need to know heading into the last friendly before the Beckenbauer Cup against VfB Stuttgart this weekend. Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany will have to balance how to keep his veterans sharp, while giving his young players a chance.
