Name a bigger mismatch in the Bundesliga this season: Bayern Munich are the reigning champions; Elversberg are newly promoted. Elversberg’s stadium is currently a construction site and has a capacity of less than 10k, while Bayern play in the state-of-the-art Allianz Arena.
The town of Spiesen-Elversberg doesn’t have a train station, and Munich is well…Munich.
For the first 25 minutes of the game, Elversberg put in a strong effort against the visitors, having several decent chances, with an effort off Kim Min-Jae coming close to the opener, and Noah Darvich just missing a cutback effort.
However, Bayern were also dominant, and that would be rewarded in the 26th minute when Ismael Saibari’s cross would miss everyone as it travelled across the face of goal before finding Lennart Karl at the back post to make it 1-0.
Vincent Wagner’s side thought they had equalised just before the break when Noah Darvich played through Cole Campbell, where the ex-Borussia Dortmund winger made it 1-1, however, the goal would be ruled out for a tight offside.
In the second half, instead of dropping back and trying to stay in the game, Elversberg were becoming more adventurous as they ventured forward for an equaliser.
Then just over the hour mark, former Bayern Munich player Maurice Krattenmacher made it 1-1 with a long-range curling effort.
Bayern then subbed on the big guns in Jamal Musiala, Luis Diaz and Joshua Kimmich, where there was an immediate switch in momentum, and Vincent Kompany’s side had chance after chance to take the lead, with Diaz attempting a backheel effort, which did not pay off, and then Michael Olise hitting the crossbar after chipping Elversberg keeper Nicolas Kristof.
Then in the 71st minute, Harry Kane made it 2-1 for Bayern when his effort from a tight angle beat the Austrian, in what was his first Bundesliga goal of the season.
Elversberg provided an immediate reaction when Noel Futkeu was unable to turn in a cross. Then Bayern increased the pressure even more with several efforts in quick succession needing to be blocked by Elversberg defenders.
Elversberg:
Nicolas Kristof (6), Jan Gyamerah (6), Lukas Pinckert (6), Maximilian Rohr (7), Lasse Günter (6), Felix Keidel (5), Łukasz Poręba (6), Lukas Petkov (6), Francis Onyeka (-), Cole Campbell (6), David Mokwa (5)
Others: Noah Darvich (6), Maurice Krattenmacher (6), Amare Conde (6), Noel Futkeu (5), Luca Schnellbacher (-)
Bayern Munich:
Jonas Urbig (5), Josip Stanisic (6), Dayot Upamecano (6), Kim Min-Jae (7), Nathanial Brown (5), Tom Bischof (5), Aleksander Pavlovic (5), Michael Olise (6), Lennart Karl (6), Ismael Saibari (6), Harry Kane (6)
Others: Alphonso Davies (5), Luis Diaz (5), Jamal Musiala (5), Joshua Kimmich (5)
GGFN Man of the Match: Maximilian Rohr (7)
There were several moments throughout the game where Elversberg had their back against the wall as Bayern increased the pressure on them, it needed some resolute defending from the hosts to stay in the game and at the centre of it all was Maximilian Rohr. The 31-year-old made 13 defensive contributions (via FotMob) and several times made a crucial block to stop the game from getting away from Elversberg.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
