München – This Saturday’s Bundesliga clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich carries a special significance for Josip Stanisic. The 25-year-old Croatian international returns to the BayArena, the very stadium where he experienced a transformative season as a loan player, contributing to Leverkusen’s historic title win and DFB-Pokal triumph under Xabi Alonso.
Currently, Stanisic is enjoying a rich vein of form for Bayern, quietly establishing himself as a crucial component of Thomas Tuchel’s squad. Even as the spotlight often shines on attacking stars like Luis Díaz, Michael Olise, and Harry Kane, Stanisic has emerged as a reliable and increasingly influential figure. His performance in Bayern’s dominant 6-1 victory over Atalanta Bergamo in the Champions League round of 16 first leg underscored his value, scoring one goal and providing an assist – earning him a perfect score from Bild and a place in UEFA’s Team of the Week.
Kompany Praises Stanisic’s Intelligence and Versatility
Ahead of the Leverkusen encounter, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany lauded Stanisic’s development and unique skillset. Kompany revealed a recent conversation with Ivica Olic, the Croatian assistant and U21 national team coach, provided valuable insight into the defender’s capabilities. “It wasn’t long ago that Ivica Olic was here, the Croatian assistant and U21 national coach. We exchanged a few words about Stanisic. He said it was incredible for Croatia to have a full-back of this quality who can defend on both sides. He doesn’t just play well as a full-back, but also as a center-back. That has a lot to do with his football intelligence,” Kompany explained.
Stanisic’s versatility extends beyond positional flexibility. He has featured at right-back 12 times, left-back 13 times, and twice as a center-back this season, consistently delivering solid performances. Kompany also highlighted Stanisic’s often-underappreciated speed. “He’s actually really prompt, but many people don’t see that,” the coach noted.
Kompany continued, “He has developed well. You always want Bayern talents to be ready immediately. Stani [Stanisic] needed a little time, but now he’s there. He’s one of us and has grown into an significant role.”
Josip Stanisic (25) celebrates his first Champions League goal during Bayern’s 6-1 win over Atalanta Bergamo.
Stanisic’s loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen proved pivotal in his development. The experience of playing regularly, contributing to a championship-winning team, and living independently away from Munich clearly had a profound impact. As he stated in February 2025, the year in Leverkusen represented “a huge leap” in his career, fostering both professional and personal growth. Bavarian Football Works reported that Stanisic felt a “new Josip was created that did not exist before.”
He also credited Xabi Alonso’s tactical acumen for his improvement, noting the manager’s deep understanding of the game and his ability to create a cohesive and well-drilled team. This insight will undoubtedly be valuable as Bayern prepares to face Alonso’s Leverkusen, now aiming to repeat their success.
The return to Leverkusen presents a unique challenge for Stanisic. He’ll be tasked with helping to contain the very team he helped propel to glory last season. The match, scheduled for Saturday at 15:30 local time (CET), will be broadcast on Sky in Germany. The stakes are high, with both teams vying for crucial points in the Bundesliga title race.
Beyond the immediate match implications, Stanisic’s journey highlights the benefits of strategic loan moves for young players. The experience gained at Leverkusen has clearly transformed him into a more complete and confident player, ready to contribute significantly to Bayern Munich’s ambitions. His ability to seamlessly transition between defensive positions makes him a valuable asset for Kompany, offering tactical flexibility and defensive solidity.
As Bayern prepares for this crucial encounter, all eyes will be on Josip Stanisic – the versatile defender who returns to his former home with a champion’s mentality and a point to prove.
Bayern Munich will next face RB Leipzig in a Bundesliga match on April 20th. Stay tuned to Archysport for full coverage, and analysis.
