Following their 5-0 victory over Bodo/Glimt, FC Bayern is already looking ahead to their away game in Elversberg. On Sunday, the German record champions face a difficult away match against the newly promoted team, which has gotten off to a surprisingly strong start in the new Bundesliga season.
After two matchdays, SV Elversberg sits in 4th place in the Bundesliga standings with six points. The team has come out on top against both Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach. For Bayern’s sporting director, Max Eberl, that’s reason enough not to underestimate their upcoming opponent.
“Elversberg is currently the team of the moment in the Bundesliga. Picking up six points with two wins against tough opponents—away at Leverkusen and Gladbach—is truly remarkable,” Eberl explained after the Champions League opener against Bodo/Glimt.
The Bayern official also emphasized his great respect for the work of the newly promoted team: “We have an enormous amount of respect because Elversberg was already performing very well in the 2. Bundesliga. Last year, they just fell short in the promotion playoffs, but now they’ve made it.”
According to Eberl, the coaching change hasn’t had a major impact on their style of play so far. Horst Steffen left the club in the summer of 2025, and Vincent Wagner took over: “Even though there’s a new coach, they’re still playing the same kind of soccer,” said Eberl.
Against Bayern, however, SVE will now have to do without Wagner—at least on the sidelines. After being sent off against Borussia Mönchengladbach, the coach will have to watch the game from the stands.
Although Elversberg filed an appeal and even Jan-Christian Dreesen suggested waiving the suspension, the DFB upheld its decision to suspend Wagner for one game.
Eberl has “great respect”
Max Eberl still expects a well-prepared opponent on Sunday. The 52-year-old was particularly impressed by Elversberg’s roster management. The club regularly relies on young players who develop through loan spells and then have to be replaced.
“They bring in young players who are eager and hungry—players who are usually on loan and then return to their original clubs. Then they find new players. So, I have great respect for Elversberg and what they’re accomplishing,” Eberl explained.
After their disappointing match at Schalke, Bayern now needs to make a statement in the Bundesliga as well. Following their convincing performance against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, they’re looking to secure their next victory against Elversberg. Eberl made it clear, however, that the record champions are by no means underestimating the newly promoted team.