The key facts

  • Bayern and Borussia Dortmund are the only unbeaten teams after seven matchdays, both having earned an equal number of points
  • Kompany was discharged from hospital after five days of treatment, but will return to work in 'weeks, not days'
  • Kane became the first English Ballon d'Or winner since Michael Owen (2001)

A derby against the backdrop of a week of extremes

On Saturday, Bayern host their arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund after a week the club has described as a series of 'extremes': the hospitalization of head coach Vincent Kompany and the Ballon d'Or for Harry Kane. This is reported by AFP. Usually the central match of the Bundesliga season has been pushed into the background by the Munich side's troubles: Germany captain Joshua Kimmich missed three matches following the sudden death of his father, while Luis Díaz, Manuel Neuer, Jamal Musiala and Aleksandar Pavlović are battling injuries.

Kompany discharged, but not returning soon

Kompany felt unwell after the emphatic 6:1 win over RB Leipzig, took charge of the match against Arsenal (2:2 at home), and two days later collapsed on the training pitch. The Belgian was diagnosed with irritation of the meninges; on Wednesday, after five days in hospital, he was discharged, but the club said his return to work would take 'weeks, not days'. Assistant Aaron Danks is temporarily performing the head coach's duties, and he hopes the emotional rollercoaster will unite the team: 'You have seen all the extremes of life over the past week — the joys and highs for Harry and the lows of what we had to go through,' he said on Tuesday.

Kane and the Ballon d'Or

Kane received football's highest individual award on Monday and called the past week 'crazy', admitting he feels awkward about the attention but understands the scale of the event. He became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 and only the fifth in history to win the Ballon d'Or; in Britain there were calls to knight him. 'I certainly wouldn't refuse,' Kane replied. 'But it would be strange if everyone called me

An even contest

The sporting situation gives the match special interest: after seven matchdays, Bayern and Dortmund are the only unbeaten teams, level on points, with the hosts ahead of their rivals only on goal difference. Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač, who has also had squad problems, said on Thursday that his team is 'closing in' on Bayern. For the Munich side, the main task, in AFP's wording, is to cut out the external noise and focus on the game.