Bayern Munich will welcome old foes Hamburger SV for their first Bundesliga Nord-Sud-Gipfel since 2018.
The Nord-Süd-Gipfel makes its long-awaited return this weekend as Bayern Munich host Hamburger SV on Saturday night, marking the first Bundesliga clash between the two sides since 2018. Once one of the league’s fiercest rivalries, the fixture has lost much of its competitive edge over the past decade.
Bayern, the reigning champions, head into this contest on a perfect start to the season, while newly promoted Hamburg are still searching for their first league victory over the Bavarians since 2009.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, matches between Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV were unpredictable, with both clubs pushing each other for domestic supremacy. In recent memory, however, the pendulum has swung heavily in Bayern’s favour. The Bavarian giants have claimed 13 wins in the last 14 league meetings, many by emphatic margins.
The Allianz Arena, in particular, has been unforgiving for Hamburg: their last eight visits have ended in scorelines such as 6-0, 8-0, 5-0, 9-2, and another pair of 8-0 thrashings. For many, the question this weekend is not whether Bayern will win, but by how much.
Vincent Kompany’s tenure at Bayern Munich could hardly have started better. His side have won all four of their competitive fixtures so far this season, including a ruthless 6-0 demolition of RB Leipzig in their only home outing.
Kompany himself has an interesting subplot in this match-up: before his rise at Manchester City, he made 51 appearances for Hamburg, earning the respect of the Rothosen supporters. Nostalgia aside, his focus will be firmly on extending Bayern’s dominance. Hamburg, meanwhile, have struggled to find their footing back in the Bundesliga after their seven-year exile.
Merlin Polzin’s men opened with a goalless draw against Borussia Monchengladbach before falling 2-0 at home in the Hamburg derby against St. Pauli. To compound matters, they remain goalless in the league, and heading to Munich is hardly the place to expect a breakthrough. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich will be boosted by the arrival of Nicolas Jackson, who has joined on loan from Chelsea and is set to make his debut this weekend. However, Vincent Kompany still has to manage without a few key players due to injury.
Alphonso Davies remains sidelined with a knee problem, Hiroki Ito is unavailable because of a foot issue, and Jamal Musiala continues his recovery from an ankle injury. In addition, Tom Bischof only resumed training on Tuesday after undergoing appendix surgery and is unlikely to feature in the matchday squad.
As for the setup, Bayern are expected to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Captain Manuel Neuer will take his place in goal, protected by a back four of Konrad Laimer at right-back, Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah at the heart of the defence, and Josip Stanisic operating at left-back. The midfield pivot should consist of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, tasked with controlling possession and shielding the defence.
Further forward, Michael Olise is likely to start on the right flank, with Serge Gnabry occupying the central attacking midfield role and Luis Diaz operating from the left. Leading the line will be England captain Harry Kane, who has already begun the season in fine form and will spearhead Bayern’s attack against Hamburg.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane
Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV enter this difficult fixture with both positive additions and setbacks in their squad. Arsenal loanees Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga have been brought in to strengthen the midfield, and both are expected to be in contention for minutes at the Allianz Arena.
However, newly acquired defender Jordan Torunarigha remains a doubt after suffering an Achilles problem during the international break, and his availability will likely be assessed closer to kick-off. Adding to their concerns, Georgian international Giorgi Gocholeishvili is suspended following his red card in the derby defeat to St. Pauli, leaving a gap at right-back.
Despite those absences, Hamburg are likely to stick with their 3-4-2-1 formation. Daniel Heuer Fernandes will take up his usual spot in goal, supported by a back three of Warmed Omari, Daniel Elfadli, and Luka Vuskovic in central defence. The wing-back roles should be filled by William Mikelbrencis on the right and Miro Muheim on the left, providing width on both flanks.
In central midfield, Nicolai Remberg is set to partner Nicolas Capaldo, tasked with breaking up Bayern’s attacks and linking play through the middle. Fabio Vieira is expected to slot into one of the two attacking midfield roles alongside Jean-Luc Dompe, giving Hamburg much-needed creativity and technical quality.
Up front, Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer will lead the line as the lone striker, looking to exploit any counter-attacking opportunities that arise against the defending champions.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Fernandes; Omari, Elfadli, Vuskovic; Mikelbrencis, Remberg, Capaldo, Muheim; Vieira, Dompe; Konigsdorffer
Key Stats
- Bayern Munich have beaten Hamburger SV 65 times in the Bundesliga, more than against any other side except VfB Stuttgart (71). They have also scored more goals against HSV than any other opponent (247).
- Bayern Munich have won all of their last nine Bundesliga home games against Hamburg, with an astonishing combined score of 51-3.
- HSV have only managed one win in their last 16 Bundesliga games on Saturday evenings (D6 L9), with their sole victory being a 1-0 win at Schalke in January 2011.
- For the fourth consecutive Bundesliga season, Bayern Munich have started with two straight wins, and could make it three in a row, something never before achieved in Bundesliga history.
- Hamburg and Borussia Monchengladbach are the only sides yet to score a goal this season.
- Bayern Munich have had the most shots on goal (20) and the highest expected goals value (6.0) after two Bundesliga games, while Hamburg have managed the fewest shots on goal (4) and the lowest expected goals tally (0.8).
Player to Watch
Luis Diaz
All eyes will be on Luis Diaz, who has hit the ground running for Bayern Munich since joining from Liverpool. The Colombian winger has added a fresh dimension to Bayern’s attack with his pace, direct dribbling, and ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations.
Diaz’s trickery down the left flank not only stretches defenses but also creates space for Harry Kane through the middle. His knack for cutting inside and testing goalkeepers with powerful strikes makes him a constant threat, especially against a Hamburg side that has struggled defensively.
With Bayern Munich looking to continue their blistering start to the season, Luis Diaz could be the difference-maker once again, providing both creativity and goals in a fixture historically dominated by the Bavarians.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 5-0 Hamburger SV
Hamburg’s return to the Bundesliga has been an emotional journey, but this fixture is likely to be another harsh reminder of the gulf that remains between themselves and Germany’s dominant force.
Bayern Munich’s relentless attack should continue to shine, and given Hamburg’s lack of cutting edge, the visitors may once again leave the Allianz Arena on the wrong end of a rout. The Hard Tackle predicts a 5-0 win for Vincent Kompany and his charges.
