FC Bayern as the underdog against SV Elversberg? While this may sound pretty absurd at first glance, it’s not entirely out of the question—at least when looking at the current Bundesliga standings. Joshua Kimmich used the situation ahead of Sunday’s matchup to make an unusual statement.
“We’re behind Elversberg right now. They’ve already scored seven goals—more than we have,” the Bayern star explained after the Champions League match against Bodo/Glimt—and couldn’t help but smile as he said it.
In fact, the Bundesliga newcomer has gotten off to a perfect start to the season. After two matchdays, the team from the Saarland has six points. Bayern, on the other hand, has to settle for four points.
The German record champions kicked off the Bundesliga season with a convincing 5-1 win over VfB Stuttgart. Last weekend, however, a surprising 0-0 draw at FC Schalke 04 followed. As a result, the Munich team even lost the top spot in the standings for the first time in a long while.
Kane is “a little worried”
In any case, Bayern won’t underestimate their upcoming opponent. With victories over Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach, Elversberg has already shown that its strong start to the season isn’t necessarily a fluke.
Harry Kane was also impressed after the 5-0 victory over Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League. The striker said the promoted team’s two wins have him “a little worried.”
“They’re really hitting their stride,” Kane explained. The 33-year-old therefore expects “another big battle” on Sunday.
Munich has been warned. While they enter the match as clear favorites thanks to the individual quality of their roster, Elversberg is traveling with plenty of confidence into its first Bundesliga clash with the record champions.
Bayern faces a tough challenge
Even after the scoreless draw at Schalke, Manuel Neuer had pointed out the special challenge ahead. The Bayern captain described Elversberg on Sky Sport as “tenacious” and “aggressive.” Added to that is the unfamiliar atmosphere in the comparatively small stadium at Kaiserlinde.
Sports director Max Eberl also sees the newly promoted team as the team of the moment. It should therefore be clear to Vincent Kompany and his players that, following the Champions League match against Bodø/Glimt, there’s no time to rest on their laurels.
The pressure is high, and at the same time, Bayern wants to get back on the winning track in the Bundesliga right away. After dropping points at Schalke, another game without a win would be an unexpected setback.
Kimmich’s “underdog” comment was, of course, meant tongue-in-cheek. Nevertheless, it sums up the current situation: Elversberg heads into the match with six points and a great deal of confidence.
On Sunday at 5:30 p.m., Bayern must prove at the Kaiserlinde that, in the end, the roles on the field are indeed as one would expect in a matchup between a newly promoted team and the German record champions.