Magdeburg After a Rout: “Starting Today, Let’s Talk About Bayern”

Four straight home wins and the biggest victory in the 2. Bundesliga in club history—1. FC Magdeburg has . With a 6–1 (1–0) victory over Karlsruher SC and two new club records set, the team from Magdeburg—currently atop the second division—is heading to the Isar. 

“So far, we’ve given Bayern Munich zero attention. Starting today, we can talk about Bayern. We’re going to enjoy the game,” announced FCM coach Petrik Sander. “Many of the guys haven’t experienced the atmosphere at the Allianz Arena yet and will be a bit in awe, because it’s a whole different world,” added the 64-year-old. 

Some players with Allianz Arena experience

Among those on the FCM roster who have already played at the Allianz Arena are Alexander Nollenberger, Roko Simic, Herbert Bockhorn, and, of course, Bayern loan player Felipe Chavez. For the majority of the players, the away trip to face Germany’s record-holding cup champion is a first. Coach Sander wasn’t the only one to make it clear that Magdeburg isn’t treating the trip as a mere formality.

“There are still just eleven opponents on the field, and they’re just playing soccer, too. Then you have to see what you can bring to the table. I’m looking forward to the game,” said Sander, who has also played at Bayern’s home stadium before—in 2006, he lost 1–2 with Energie Cottbus. FCM defensive leader Anselmo García MacNulty emphasized that the team is really looking forward to the game “and why not a win, too? If you’re a soccer player, you always want to win—and that’s our mentality, too.”

Magdeburg with a special cup history

In addition to the FCM’s current good form, the team’s cup history also points to an interesting match. In their only competitive match against Munich since reunification, Magdeburg—then a fourth-division team—celebrated a sensational victory on penalty kicks in November 2000, knocking the defending champions out of the cup. What’s more, Magdeburg also holds the record for the most cup titles. The team from the city on the Elbe won the FDGB Cup seven times in the GDR.

“We’re heading to Munich with our heads held high for a bonus match,” said sporting director Peer Jaekel. Regarding the away victory demanded by the euphoric Magdeburg fans, “I’m focusing that expectation primarily on Darmstadt,” Jaekel said, remaining cautious about their next league opponent. But the sporting director also emphasized: “We’re starting from a 0–0 score, proving week after week that we can be dangerous and defend in a deep block. That’s exactly what we want to show there, too. It’s not like we’re giving anything away.”