Bayern have faced 55 different opponents to date in the Bundesliga but are now set to take on a 56th as they visit Holstein Kiel this Saturday on Matchday 3 looking to extend a run that has seen the Bavarians win their last nine maiden encounters with top-flight newcomers. The last time they failed to get the better of a debutant was in October 2000 away at Energie Cottbus (1-0). fcbayern.com has more stats and facts ahead of the long trip north.
Good start for Kompany
The 2-0 win at home to Freiburg before the international break saw new head coach Vincent Kompany maintain his perfect record from three games in charge of Bayern. It’s the best start to a tenure in Munich since Hansi Flick in autumn 2019. It also means the Reds have won their opening two games of a Bundesliga season for the third year in a row.
Previous meeting one to forget
Bayern have a score to settle with Kiel from the only previous competitive encounter. That came in the second round of the 2020/21 DFB Cup when a 6-5 defeat on penalties saw the holders knocked out by the then Bundesliga 2 side in wintery January conditions at the Holstein-Stadion.
Kane scores against everyone…
Harry Kane opened the scoring last time out against Freiburg, meaning the Bayern striker has scored at least one goal against all 17 teams he’s faced in the Bundesliga. Only Miroslav Klose has taken on more Bundesliga opponents while also netting against them all (28). Kiel will be the 18th different team Kane faces in Germany’s top flight.
… and Neuer beats everyone
Manuel Neuer also has positive memories of every opponent he’s faced in the Bundesliga, having played and won at least once against all 36 clubs he’s encountered to date in Germany’s top flight. Only Lothar Matthäus and Mirko Votava have also won against as many opponents in the league’s history (both 36). There are also only three people who have faced more clubs than Neuer, with Thomas Berthold and Olaf Thon coming up against 37, while Claudio Pizarro took on 38 opposing clubs.
Gnabry in good form
Serge Gnabry struggled with injuries for much of last season but has certainly delivered when able to play. The forward provided the assist for Thomas Müller to make it 2-0 against Freiburg, meaning he’s been directly involved in six goals from seven Bundesliga appearances in 2024. That works out at a goal or an assist every 64 minutes, which is the best return of any Bundesliga player this calendar year (min. 300 minutes played).
Debutants struggling
Despite the fact that only Bayer Leverkusen (10) have created more clear-cut chances over the first two matchdays than Kiel (seven), the first Bundesliga club from the state of Schleswig-Holstein are still waiting for their first points at Germany’s top table. For what it’s worth, last season’s debutants Heidenheim also lost their first two outings before getting their first result with a 2-2 draw away at Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 3. Only two teams have ever lost their first three Bundesliga fixtures following promotion in Borussia Neunkirchen (1964/65) and Cottbus (2000/01).
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