Rarely does a new signing face such an immediate examination, but that is exactly what awaits Ismael Saibari when Bayern Munich meet Borussia Dortmund in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup on August 22, 2026. The Moroccan international arrived from PSV Eindhoven for a reported 50 million euros, signing a contract that runs until 2031. He was presented as an offensive midfielder capable of operating as a number 10, a role he himself named as his preferred position when speaking to reporters after his introduction.
A €50 million arrival from PSV, Ismael Saibari steps straight into the spotlight against Dortmund, eager to prove himself as Bayern’s new number 10.
Saibari made clear that Vincent Kompany‘s vision played a central part in his decision to join Bayern. Club sources and press coverage have consistently framed the move as one shaped by the coach’s tactical thinking rather than a straightforward market opportunity. Kompany is looking for a central player who can combine creativity with directness and end moves with a finish, and he has praised Saibari’s power, pace and composure in front of goal. Still, the two have not yet gone through the finer details of his tactical role, according to the player. Saibari’s emergence has drawn comparisons to fellow Moroccan talent Amine Adli, another attacking player who has become a notable figure for his country’s national team.
Saibari’s build-up to this test has been complicated by injury, which has restricted his workload since arriving in Bavaria. He made his first appearances in a Bayern shirt during pre-season friendlies, including a substitute outing against RB Leipzig where he quickly made an impact going forward. Bayern have used him mainly as a rotation option in an attacking line short on numbers, and Kompany has suggested his physical management will remain careful in the coming weeks. Saibari’s rise has also made him an important figure for the Atlas Lions, Morocco’s national team, adding further weight to his growing profile heading into this fixture.
The Dortmund fixture changes that calculus somewhat. With Jamal Musiala, Karl and Serge Gnabry all unavailable, Bayern’s attacking options are thin, opening the door for Saibari to start or at least play a significant role. Early lineup projections have placed him in the starting eleven, likely operating as an axial creator just behind the central striker. The match is being viewed as a first real test of how well his profile fits Kompany’s system, one built on mobility and verticality through midfield. Beyond the result, it will offer an early read on whether Bayern’s high-value investment can translate quickly into tactical cohesion.
Get the Atlas Lions Weekly
The biggest Morocco football stories, player updates and analysis—delivered to your inbox every Sunday.
