Bayern survive Elversberg scare as Kane makes Bundesliga mark

Vincent Kompany’s side have now gone six matches without defeat in all competitions, winning five and drawing one. But they were made to work at the Waldstadion Kaiserlinde by an Elversberg team that had opened its first Bundesliga season with two straight wins.

Match highlight

Elversberg began with real intensity and did not look overawed by the occasion. Bayern carried the first clear threat, though. Lennart Karl combined well with Kane before testing Nicolas Kristof with a dangerous shot from distance.

The warning went unheeded. Just before the half-hour mark, Karl gave Bayern the lead. Ismael Saibari sent a low ball across to the far post, where Karl arrived to finish from close range.

Bayern almost allowed Elversberg back into the match soon afterwards. Aleksandar Pavlovic made a poor header and Cole Campbell took advantage, finishing past Jonas Urbig. The goal was ruled out for offside, denying the American a historic moment.

Campbell was replaced by Maurice Krattenmacher, who left Bayern for Elversberg in the summer. The 21-year-old needed only a little more than 15 minutes to make an impact against his former club.

Kane had an effort ruled out for offside, and Elversberg took advantage moments later. Krattenmacher found space just outside the penalty area, controlled the ball well with his right foot and curled a fine shot into the top corner.

The equaliser lifted the home crowd, but it also drew a strong response from Bayern.

Michael Olise first saw one effort cleared off the line, then tried to lift another shot over Kristof only to send it over the crossbar. Bayern kept pushing, and Kane eventually delivered the decisive moment.

In the 72nd minute, the England captain received the ball in a crowded area. He used a couple of neat touches to make room before driving a shot into the near corner, beyond Kristof’s reach.

It was Kane’s fourth goal in all competitions this season and his first in the Bundesliga campaign. More importantly, it restored Bayern’s lead in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.

Elversberg could take credit for refusing to fold after falling behind, and Krattenmacher’s goal gave them a real chance of a famous result. Bayern, however, had the extra quality when the game needed a decisive finish.

The win moved Bayern up to fourth, while Elversberg dropped to sixth. Kompany will be pleased with the points, but Elversberg showed they can make life difficult for even the league’s biggest teams.