Bayern Munich’s unbeaten run in the Bundesliga has ended - and club legend Oliver Kahn believes Vincent Kompany’s loyalty to Manuel Neuer played a decisive role in their 2–2 draw with Union Berlin last weekend.

The slip at the Allianz Arena ended Bayern’s perfect start to the season and reignited debate over the future of their 39-year-old captain, whose handling error gifted Union their late equalizer.

“That was a mistake from the bench,” Kahn said in an interview with Bild. “Neuer has been one of the greatest, but form must always come before sentiment. Kompany should have made the hard call.”

The Blunder That Changed the Game

With Bayern leading 2–1 deep into stoppage time, Union’s Sheraldo Becker unleashed a speculative strike that Neuer fumbled into his own net — a rare but costly lapse that stunned the home crowd.

Data from Opta showed that Neuer’s post-shot expected goals (xGOT) prevented was –0.89, his lowest single-game rating in nearly two years.

“It’s a cruel moment,” Kompany said after the match. “Manuel has saved us countless times. We win together and lose together.”

Still, Bayern’s tactical control throughout the match made the draw sting even more. The Bavarians had 76% possession, 19 shots, and an expected goals tally of 2.8, yet defensive lapses and goalkeeping uncertainty allowed Union to snatch a point.

The Goalkeeper Debate Rekindled

The draw has intensified scrutiny on Neuer’s long-term role. His return from a recurring knee injury earlier this year has coincided with the emergence of Daniel Peretz, the 25-year-old Israeli keeper signed from Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Peretz impressed during Bayern’s pre-season tour and in domestic cup games, prompting many fans and pundits to call for a rotation policy.

“Bayern can’t afford sentimentality,” Kahn insisted. “When I was captain, even I knew my place had to be earned. That’s the Bayern way.”

Club insiders, however, say Kompany remains committed to keeping Neuer as first choice, citing his leadership in the dressing room and elite distribution under pressure.

Kompany’s Balancing Act

For Kompany, managing the Neuer question could define his first season in charge. The Belgian coach has revitalized Bayern’s pressing structure, pairing Joshua Kimmich and Alejandro Grimaldo as inverted full-backs and deploying Jamal Musiala as a hybrid No. 10 — a tactical setup reliant on confident ball progression from the goalkeeper.

Neuer’s experience in that system remains unmatched, but Kompany must balance that against physical decline and mounting media pressure.

“He’s not just a keeper, he’s a symbol,” said German football analyst Raphael Honigstein. “But symbols can’t make mistakes at this level.”

What’s Next for Bayern

Despite the draw, Bayern remain five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table with 31 points from 11 games, followed by Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig.

Their next fixtures — away at Freiburg and a Champions League clash with Napoli — will test Kompany’s faith in his veteran goalkeeper.

If the mistakes persist, Bayern’s board could face a tough conversation about succession in January, especially with Real Sociedad’s Álex Remiro and PSV’s Walter Benítez already on the scouting shortlist.

The Takeaway

Kompany’s Bayern are still leading the league — but this was the first real test of his authority. How he manages Neuer’s twilight could determine whether Bayern’s transition to a new era is smooth or turbulent.

“It’s not about replacing a legend,” Kahn concluded. “It’s about protecting Bayern’s standards. Those must never slip.”