Bayern Munich narrowly avoided dropping points in the Bundesliga on Friday evening. The league leaders struggled against VfB Stuttgart but were handed a lifeline after a defensive error by their opponent ironically, by Bayern loanee Alexander Nübel.
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For Bayern Munich, where Joshua Kimmich saw his impressive streak of seventy consecutive Bundesliga appearances come to an end due to suspension, VfB Stuttgart has been a notoriously difficult opponent in recent years.
The team from southern Germany has established itself as a solid top-half side in the Bundesliga and came into this match sitting in a respectable seventh place, with a realistic shot at securing European football. Bayern’s struggles against Stuttgart were clear from the recent head-to-head record: in their previous six meetings, Der Rekordmeister dropped points on three occasions. Stuttgart consistently proved to be a resilient side, unafraid of Bayern’s star power.
On Friday evening, in a buzzing Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart started bravely. Sebastian Hoeneß’s side pressed high and forced Bayern into uncharacteristic mistakes during their buildup play. Especially in the opening 35 minutes, Bayern struggled to find any rhythm, as Stuttgart dominated possession, played quicker combinations, and created the better chances. It was no surprise when Stuttgart took the lead and it was a goal to remember.
Leroy Sané, normally one of Bayern’s creative sparks, slipped awkwardly on the pitch, gifting Stuttgart the chance to break forward. The home side combined beautifully, working the ball to Angelo Stiller at the edge of the penalty area. The former Bayern midfielder unleashed a thunderous strike into the roof of the net, leaving Manuel Neuer completely helpless. It was a deserved lead for Stuttgart, who had been the better team up to that point.
Conceding that goal served as a much-needed wake-up call for Bayern. Up until then, Thomas Tuchel’s side had looked flat and uninspired, but from the moment they went behind, their urgency increased. Bayern gradually took control of the game, although Stuttgart remained dangerous on the counter. Just before halftime, Bayern found their equalizer and once again, Leroy Sané played a key role. His clever through ball split the Stuttgart defense, releasing Harry Kane, who calmly slotted the ball past Alexander Nübel, a former Bayern player now guarding Stuttgart’s goal. With that, Bayern went into the break level at 1-1.
The second half painted a different picture. Bayern came out with clear intent, pushing Stuttgart deep into their own half. The visitors increased the tempo, constantly probing for gaps in the Stuttgart defense. That persistence paid off in the 63rd minute. Once again, Sané was involved, cutting inside and delivering a perfectly timed pass to Jamal Musiala. The young playmaker wasted no time, placing a precise shot into the bottom corner to give Bayern a 2-1 lead. It was a classic Bayern goal quick combinations, individual brilliance, and clinical finishing.
Stuttgart, however, refused to surrender. Urged on by their passionate home supporters, they pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Bayern’s defense, marshaled by Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano, stood firm. Even so, the visitors needed a slice of luck to survive a goalmouth scramble, where Stuttgart came within inches of forcing the ball over the line.
The decisive blow came with about fifteen minutes left. Nübel, who had performed solidly until that point, made a costly error. Under pressure from Bayern’s advancing attackers, he attempted a risky pass to Angelo Stiller, who was immediately closed down by Leon Goretzka. The Bayern midfielder intercepted the ball and coolly slotted home Bayern’s third goal, effectively ending the contest. It was a gift Bayern gratefully accepted, and it extinguished any hope Stuttgart had of a late comeback.
Bayern comfortably saw out the remainder of the match, controlling possession and running down the clock. The 3-1 victory allows Bayern to keep pace with league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who also won their match earlier in the evening. For Tuchel and his squad, the relief was clear navigating this tricky away fixture without dropping points keeps their title hopes alive. Meanwhile, Stuttgart will need to regroup quickly if they want to keep their European ambitions intact.
Updated: 01:09, 1 Mar 2025
