Clear mission against newcomers Elversberg: ‘Show the best version of ourselves’

FC Bayern finish off a busy week with a trip to SV Elversberg at the end of Bundesliga Matchday 3 (live text and free Web Radio commentary on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). Our preview contains all the info you need on the match.

The best photos from Saturday’s final training session:

Latest news from Bayern

After 67 consecutive matchdays at the top of the Bundesliga standings, Bayern go into a weekend not as league leaders for the first time. Having started the season with a brilliant 5-1 win over VfB Stuttgart, the Munich men were held to a 0-0 draw at promoted side FC Schalke 04 last weekend despite clearly dominating and having the better chances. Bayern already showed an impressive reaction in the 5-0 win against FK Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League in midweek. Now they want to follow that up in the league and get three points again at the other promoted team from Elversberg.

The facts on the meeting at Elversberg:

The German record champions meet SVE for the first time in a competitive fixture. “Every season brings new challenges,” said head coach Vincent Kompany in the press conference on Saturday. “I'm always pleased to get new information about opponents, coaches and clubs. That's something I love about football,” added the Belgian, before outlining the approach: “We always want to show the best version of ourselves, which is exactly what we want to do again tomorrow. Whether it's in Dortmund or Elversberg, the motivation is just the same.”

Catch up with all the key statements from the pre-match press conference:

Opponents: Elversberg

However, Bayern face opponents who not only started their Bundesliga adventure with great excitement, but have also thoroughly impressed in their first two outings in the top flight. Afer the 3-2 opening win at home to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Elversberg demonstrated their comeback qualities at Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend. Trailing 3-1, the Saarland side turned it around and made it two victories from two games with a stoppage-time winner. “They’re a team whose success has been based on playing football, and have now started very well in the Bundesliga,” commented Kompany on the upcoming opponents. His counterpart Vincent Wagner, who was shown a second yellow card in Mönchengladbach, will be in the dugout against Bayern after his suspension was rescinded.

A closer look at the upcoming opponents:

Team news

Bayern’s only injury concern is Serge Gnabry, who according to Kompany will return to the squad against Union Berlin if he doesn’t make it against Elversberg.

The hosts also have a full squad at their disposal.

Test your knowledge of the fixture in the Matchday Quiz: 

What the coaches say