Bundesliga Daily Report - 2026-09-13

Harry Kane scored his first Bundesliga goal of the season as Bayern Munich beat promoted SV Elversberg 2-1 on Sunday. Lennart Karl put the defending champions ahead with his first league goal of the campaign, but Maurice Krattenmacher equalised shortly after the hour with a curling finish. Kane restored Bayern’s advantage in the 72nd minute, breaking a 1-1 deadlock and securing three points in the clubs’ first competitive meeting. Manuel Neuer was rested, leaving Kane to wear the captain’s armband. The result ended Elversberg’s perfect start after victories over Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Bayern had to work considerably harder than in their 5-0 Champions League victory over Bodø/Glimt, with Elversberg posing a sustained threat at their compact home ground. Kane said the goal had been worth waiting for after he drew blanks in Bayern’s opening two league matches, while also acknowledging that the champions had not yet reached their best level. Vincent Kompany praised Elversberg’s bravery and organisation, but Bayern’s ability to win a difficult away fixture remains significant. Elversberg’s defeat was their first in the Bundesliga, although their impressive opening fortnight established them as a serious test for the division’s established sides.

RB Leipzig responded to consecutive defeats by thrashing Hamburg 5-0 at home on Sunday. Antonio Nusa scored once and created two more, while Christopher Nkunku, Tidiam Gomis, Willi Orban and Romulo also found the net. Nkunku’s goal was his first since returning to Saxony on loan in August, providing a notable moment in a dominant Matchday 3 performance. Leipzig had lost 3-1 at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and 4-1 at Como in the Champions League, placing pressure on the team before Hamburg’s visit. The victory lifted Leipzig to fourth, while Hamburg suffered a third heavy defeat and remained bottom.

Nusa’s influence offered Leipzig an immediate attacking response, with the Norway winger combining effectively with Nkunku and helping the hosts regain momentum. Nkunku’s return is particularly relevant because his first spell produced 70 goals in 173 appearances and two DFB-Pokal final goals, setting a demanding standard for his second stint. He celebrated his goal with the balloon routine associated with his earlier Leipzig career. Nusa said the side had focused on looking forward rather than dwelling on the previous losses. The challenge now is to turn an emphatic home win into greater consistency, especially with European football adding to the schedule.

Borussia Mönchengladbach dismissed Eugen Polanski on Sunday after the club opened its Bundesliga campaign with three defeats. The decision followed Saturday’s 5-0 loss at Freiburg, which came after a 4-3 home defeat by promoted Elversberg and a 3-0 loss at RB Leipzig. Assistant coach Tobias Trulsen also left his position. Gladbach said Jan-Moritz Lichte would take temporary charge, supported by Markus Gellhaus and the existing coaching staff, while the club searches for a permanent successor. The team’s only victory this season came in the German Cup, a 5-0 win over fifth-tier Schott Mainz.

Sporting director Rouven Schröder said the recent performances had led to the decision to relieve Polanski of his duties immediately, despite what the club described as a good pre-season and encouraging signs. Polanski, who had previously coached Gladbach’s Under-23 side, said the outcome was painful after the club had secured its top-flight status last season and entered the new campaign with bigger ambitions. The scale of the defensive problems, with 12 goals conceded across the opening three league matches, leaves Lichte with an urgent task. Gladbach’s next appointment will shape an early attempt to prevent a difficult start becoming a prolonged relegation battle.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer will take a temporary break from Austria duty and miss the country’s Nations League group matches, the Austrian Football Association confirmed on Sunday. The 32-year-old has won 102 caps and scored 27 international goals. Sabitzer agreed the decision with Austria coach Ralf Rangnick after discussions about the demands of club and international football. He is expected to reassess his position before the start of the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign next March. His decision came as Dortmund compete in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League, creating a demanding schedule for a player who has also been involved in major recent international tournaments.

Sabitzer said the previous two years had been particularly intense, adding that the Club World Cup and World Cup had effectively made it feel like he had played three seasons. He said he wanted to remain at the highest level for several more years and needed to manage his energy carefully. Rangnick said it was a shame to lose the midfielder for the Nations League but understood his reasoning. For Dortmund, the pause reduces one source of international workload during a crowded club campaign, while Austria will have to plan without an experienced player who has been a regular presence in their midfield. The arrangement leaves open the possibility of his return for the Euro qualifiers.

Mainz suffered their first defeat of the Bundesliga season on Saturday, losing 3-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. Can Uzun scored twice for the visitors at the Mewa Arena, while former Mainz forward Jonathan Burkardt added Frankfurt’s second in first-half stoppage time. Philipp Tietz scored a late consolation for Mainz in the 89th minute. Lee Jae-sung started in an attacking midfield role and played the first half before being replaced at the interval. Mainz had begun their league campaign with a goalless draw against Paderborn and a 5-0 victory over Hamburg, while they had also beaten VfB Krieschow 9-0 in the German Cup.

Frankfurt established control early when Uzun opened the scoring in the ninth minute, and Mainz’s missed opportunity from the penalty spot before half-time was followed by Burkardt’s goal. Uzun added his second in the 60th minute to put the visitors beyond reach. Lee had contributed an assist in both Mainz’s cup victory and their win over Hamburg, but was unable to influence this match before his substitution. The result checked Mainz’s unbeaten opening across four competitive fixtures and gave Frankfurt a valuable away victory. Mainz will now look to recover from their first league setback after a bright start.