No game for Bayern—now Krattenmacher returns as a Bundesliga hero | OneFootball

Maurice Krattenmacher is still waiting for his first competitive match with Bayern’s first team. Ironically, that moment could come this coming Sunday against his former club. The 21-year-old is heading to Munich with SV Elversberg—and arrives brimming with confidence after a spectacular performance in Mönchengladbach.

Yet it was just a few weeks ago that FC Bayern announced the offensive player’s permanent departure. In mid-June, Krattenmacher made a permanent move to Elversberg. Just three months later, he’s already set to face the record champions again.

What’s particularly remarkable is how quickly Krattenmacher’s situation has changed. Just over a year ago, it looked as though he might have a real chance to break into Bayern’s first team.

In May 2025, the Munich club brought him back from Ulm ahead of schedule. Krattenmacher was then allowed to travel with the team to the Club World Cup. At the time, sporting director Christoph Freund made it clear that Bayern wanted to bring the young talent closer to the first team.

Nevertheless, Krattenmacher never played in a competitive match for the record champions. Even during the lopsided 10-0 victory over Auckland City, he remained on the bench for the entire 90 minutes.

From Bayern to Elversberg without seeing any action

After the Club World Cup, Krattenmacher went on his next loan. The attacking player joined Hertha BSC before his path and that of FC Bayern finally parted ways this summer.

Elversberg secured the 21-year-old on a permanent basis. However, the Munich club apparently hasn’t completely let go of their former prospect. According to reports from Sky and BILD, the record champions hold a buyback option.

This could get interesting, as Krattenmacher has made a remarkable start in the Bundesliga.

In his first two league games, he came on as a substitute in each and was on the field for a total of just 53 minutes. Nevertheless, he already has two goals to his credit.

Krattenmacher scored both goals during the spectacular 4-3 victory in Mönchengladbach. With the score at 1-3, the former Bayern youngster entered the game and scored the goal that cut the deficit with practically his first touch of the ball.

Krattenmacher is hailed as the match-winner

Photo: IMAGO

But his day was far from over. In stoppage time, Krattenmacher also scored the decisive goal to make it 4–3, becoming the celebrated match-winner for Elversberg. Shortly before that, Gladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas had even prevented a possible third goal by the 21-year-old.

For Krattenmacher, the reunion with FC Bayern is therefore likely to be a very special game. In Munich, he failed to break into the first team, even though he had come close to doing so at one point.

Now, his first competitive match involving Bayern’s pros could take place—of all places—while he’s wearing the opponent’s jersey.

However, it would be premature to call the sale a mistake on Munich’s part. With the buyback option, Bayern has apparently secured the opportunity to respond should the attacking player’s development take a particularly positive turn.