There is no intention of making any "big changes" to Bayern Munich's play against Borussia Dortmund in Vincent Kompany's continued absence, so says assistant coach Aaron Danks.
Bayern not planning 'big changes' against Dortmund with Kompany still sidelined
Bayern Munich will take on Borussia Dortmund in the Klassiker without Vincent Kompany, but Aaron Danks says his team are ready for the test.
Kompany was rushed to hospital last Friday after collapsing in training due to meningeal irritation but has since been discharged.
He is expected to miss a few weeks as he continues to recover, with Danks taking charge in his absence – the Belgian also led Bayern to a 6-1 victory over Magdeburg in the DFB-Pokal second round on Wednesday.
But next up is the biggest match of the season so far, with the top two in the Bundesliga going head-to-head at Allianz Arena, as they both look to protect their unbeaten starts.
Bayern currently sit top of the league on goal difference, and Danks has no intention of switching things up ahead of their clash against Dortmund.
"We want the players to go out and show who they are," Danks said.
"No big changes, no big differences for us. We will be ready and super competitive.
"There is a difference [in coaching]. Vinnie did not want his assistant coaches to be mini-Vinnies. We are all different, but we complement each other.
"But we don't talk to him about football. We've been given clear instructions there. He needs to recover and spend time with his family. We're not getting him involved so he can be fully back at it when he returns."
Bayern have scored 18 goals in their first three home matches of the 2026-27 Bundesliga season, a new record for a club at this stage of a campaign.
Across two seasons, they have scored at least five goals in four consecutive home league matches for the first time in their Bundesliga history.
In general, Bayern have the best attack in the league this term with 25 goals, but it is Dortmund with the best defence, not just in the Bundesliga, but in Europe's top-five leagues.
They have conceded just four goals and have kept five clean sheets in their opening seven league games, equalling their club record set in 2017-18 and 2020-21.
"They're [Dortmund] very good defensively. They concede very few goals," Danks said of their opponents.
"We often play against opponents who set up like that, like against Arsenal. They also hadn't conceded in the Champions League before coming here.
"But Dortmund also have good forwards. I know a few of them from my time in England. We need to be ready for every phase of the game and perform to our best."
