Bayern must meet the promoted Elversberg with respect

In the sold‑out stadium of Elversberg, which holds barely 13,000 residents, around 9,000 spectators gather to watch on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. the duel between newly promoted SV Elversberg and record champions FC Bayern Munich. After two wins, Elversberg even sits above Bayern in the table.

Early season form and league position

The promoted SV Elversberg opened the season with two victories and after two rounds even sits ahead of Bayern in the table. The village club from Saarland, which has only 13,000 inhabitants, celebrated a 3‑2 home win against Bayer Leverkusen and turned a 1‑3 deficit against Borussia Mönchengladbach into a sensational 4‑3 triumph.

Bayern Munich, the current double‑winner and record champion, returned after a disappointing 0‑0 draw with Schalke 04 and wants to score fully in the duel again. Midfielder Joshua Kimmich emphasized after the 5‑0 win over Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League that Bayern are “currently behind Elversberg” and that their seven goals are more than their own.

Bayern’s sporting director, Max Eberl, said: “Elversberg is currently the team of the hour in the Bundesliga. We have extremely great respect.” The report by Marcus Hirnschal for Fussball highlights this starting situation and stresses that the village club will face the record champions with full motivation.

Respect and tactical preparation

Coach Vincent Wagner will sit on the bench on Sunday after receiving a yellow‑red card in Mönchengladbach. Assistant coach Pascal Bieler emphasized that the preparation for the opponent is “simply insane”, because one studies the opponent’s Champions League matches.

Referee Martin Petersen admitted an error, after which the DFB on Friday overturned the previous ruling. This incident underscores the importance of correct decisions in the German Bundesliga.

Goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof, a 26‑year‑old Austrian, is waiting for his debut against the Munich offensive machine. He was called up to the ÖFB squad by Ralf Rangnick in November, but has not yet made an appearance.

About 9,000 villagers will fill the sold‑out stadium, with Bayern being the clear favourite. The starting situation of the Sunday duel in the German Bundesliga promises an intense showdown between the village club and the record champions.

However, the Bayern squad must be aware that the German league constantly produces surprises, and therefore will not act recklessly.

For FC Bayern Munich, the duel represents a chance to end the early league lead of the promoted side and at the same time solidify their double‑lead in the German Bundesliga.