Windhoek: Bayern Munich relied on second-half substitutions to secure a 2-1 victory over SV Elversberg on Sunday, with Harry Kane netting his first Bundesliga goal of the season.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Vincent Kompany made significant lineup changes following Bayern's recent 5-0 Champions League triumph against Bodo/Glimt. Only Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Dayot Upamecano, and Aleksandar Pavlovic retained their starting positions, while key players like Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Luis Diaz, and Alphonso Davies were rested.
Elversberg, having won their first two league matches, pressed high and challenged Bayern early on. Min-Jae Kim's deflection of Lukas Petkov's cross hit the side netting, and Noah Darvich missed a crucial chance, failing to connect cleanly with another delivery.
Despite the pressure, Bayern took the lead in the 26th minute when Ismael Saibari outmaneuvered his marker and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box. Lennart Karl was perfectly positioned to convert at the far post. A potential equalizer from Cole Campbell was disallowed after a VAR review revealed an offside play by Darvich in the buildup.
In the second half, Kane's 60th-minute goal was ruled offside, and Elversberg capitalized on this break. Darvich assisted Maurice Krattenmacher, who scored with a precise right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
Kompany reacted by bringing on Kimmich, Musiala, Diaz, and Davies simultaneously in the 65th minute, invigorating Bayern's attack. Although Olise's attempt was blocked and then hit the crossbar, Bayern's persistence paid off. Pavlovic set up Kane in the 72nd minute, who scored while falling, securing the win for Bayern.
Noel Futkeu came close to equalizing immediately, but Bayern maintained control in the final stages to clinch their second league win. Post-match, Krattenmacher acknowledged Elversberg's effort, while Kane emphasized the importance of the victory and the potential for more goals.
The win elevated Bayern to fourth place on seven points, while Elversberg fell to sixth with six points. In other matches, RB Leipzig defeated Hamburg 5-0, leaving Hamburg at the bottom of the table with three losses, 12 goals conceded, and none scored, while Leipzig rebounded into contention after two straight defeats.