Kompany urges Bayern to 'show what they are about' against Elversberg

Vincent Kompany is relishing the challenge of facing a brand-new opponent in the Bundesliga as Bayern Munich prepare to travel to Elversberg.

Bayern are facing Elversberg for the first time in a competitive match and are facing a newly promoted side for the second week running.

After starting their season by thrashing Stuttgart 5-1, Bayern were held to a 0-0 draw by Schalke last weekend, meaning they did not sit top of the Bundesliga table heading into a matchweek for the first time since MD2 of the 2024-25 season.

Elversberg promise a tough challenge as well, as they have a perfect record so far, beating Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach in their first two Bundesliga matches.

But Kompany sees this as a great opportunity for Bayern to get back on track.

"We played against Schalke last week, and this week it's Elversberg, and both teams have been successful with different methods," Kompany said.

"Elversberg are more about possession and solutions with the ball, and Schalke more about counter-pressing and transitions. You can see that quite clearly from the data.

"We take every game seriously. I'm glad we get to play against Elversberg. Every season brings new challenges. It's the first time for Bayern.

"I'm always pleased to get new information about opponents, coaches and clubs. That's something I love about football. We always want to show what Bayern are about, wherever we go.

"It's a new location for us, but we still want to be the same Bayern."

Bayern are high on confidence, having thumped 10-man Bodo/Glimt 5-0 to kickstart their Champions League campaign in midweek.

They were without Serge Gnabry, with the winger failing a late fitness test, but Kompany is hopeful he could play a part against Elversberg.

"Serge Gnabry is training, but we'll make a call [on Saturday]," Kompany added.

"I reckon he'll be involved against Elversberg or against Union, but we still need to have conversations with Serge.

"He needs to give us the signal that he doesn't feel that something will happen when he shoots or turns. That aside, everyone's fit and available."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Elversberg – David Mokwa

Mokwa has scored with two of his three shots in the Bundesliga this season; his 67% shot conversion rate is the joint-highest among all players with at least three shots (level with Koln's Thijs Dallinga).

He could now score in three consecutive league games for Elversberg for the first time.

Bayern Munich – Harry Kane

Kane has failed to score in his last two Bundesliga appearances — he has only had one longer goal drought in his 96 games in the competition, a five-game run in February and March 2025.

The England captain has 98 goals in 96 Bundesliga appearances, with the record for the fewest games to reach 100 Bundesliga goals held by Dieter Muller (129).

MATCH PREDICTION: BAYERN MUNICH WIN

Bayern have won each of their last 10 first-time meetings against a Bundesliga club, with their last such failure coming in a 1-0 defeat at Energie Cottbus in October 2000.

The reigning champions dropped points for the first time this Bundesliga season on matchday two – a year ago, this did not happen until matchday 10 (2-2 at Union Berlin). Four points from their opening two matches is Bayern's worst start to a league season in five years (also four in 2021-22).

Meanwhile, Elversberg are only the sixth Bundesliga debutant (excluding the inaugural 1963-64 season) and the second team this millennium after Hoffenheim in 2008-09 to win their first two matches. Only Hansa Rostock in 1991-92 have won their first three.

But Bayern are unbeaten in their last 27 Bundesliga away games (W20 D7), with their last defeat being a 1-2 loss at Mainz in mid-December 2024.

Bayern have only had one longer unbeaten run away from home, a 33-game streak between 2012 and 2014.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Elversberg – 9.9%

Draw – 14.2%

Bayern Munich – 75.9%