There are coaches who are experts at setting up a game plan against stronger opponents. One such coach is the Danish specialist Bo Svensson, who this Saturday will try to prove the theory that he is a “giant killer” of Bayern Munich. For the first time, Svensson will face Germany’s biggest club with Union Berlin. All his previous encounters were with Mainz, a team even weaker than his current one. Yet he managed to beat Bayern three times out of seven attempts—a feat that few coaches can boast of.Union coach Bo Svensson has managed to beat Bayern three times with Mainz • What’s the formula for that?Svensson: “It takes a mixture of many things. That was always the case when we beat Bayern. You need the right course of the game, luck in a few situations and you have to… pic.twitter.com/qHZelqoRkq— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) November 1, 2024 Moreover, he achieved all these wins within a two-year span: first on April 24, 2021, with a 2-1 win, then on April 30, 2022, with a 3-1 score, and again on April 22, 2023, with another 3-1 victory. A key difference this time is that it’s not April, nor is the match being played on Svensson’s home ground. The 12th round of the Bundesliga will be played in Munich.”A lot of things need to align. That’s always the case if you want to beat Bayern. You have to impose your game, have some luck in a few situations, and have it be your day. You can influence many things, but not all. Against a team of such quality, a lot has to go your way to get a positive result” Svensson said.A new power struggle at Bayern?The 45-year-old Dane has only led Mainz in Munich twice; in 2021, Bayern narrowly won after a comeback, 2-1, while in October 2022, the hosts won 6-2. Last season, Union struggled to avoid relegation, barely staying up, but since Svensson took over, they have been performing excellently. After eight rounds, they sit fourth in the standings, a position that leads to the Champions League. The Berlin club has collected 15 points, five fewer than league leaders Bayern. Svensson’s Union has suffered only one loss, with four wins and three draws. Their goal difference of 9-5 speaks to how solid they are, as only RB Leipzig has conceded fewer goals (three).”Bayern has brutal quality. Their tactical progress is impressive. Every player can make a difference. We have to be at our maximum level” Svensson remarked.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 9Friday Leverkusen – Stuttgart 0-0Saturday 17.30: (1.20) Bayern (6.75) Union Berlin (14.0)17.30: (1.35) Eintr.Frankfurt (5.30) Bochum (8.00)17.30: (1.87) Hoffenheim (3.60) St.Pauli (4.20)17.30: (2.75) Holstein Kiel (3.35) Heidenheim (2.55)17.30: (2.05) Wolfsburg (3.50) Augsburg (3.50)20.30: (2.30) Dortmund (3.70) RB Leipzig (3.15)Sunday17.30: (1.70) Freiburg (3.60) Mainz (5.30)19.30: (2.15) M’ gladbach (3.50) Werder (3.30)***odds are subject to change***
