The three-way battle at the top of the Bundesliga turns into a duel. After Dortmund went ahead and dropped Union points, FC Bayern moved back up to first place in the table thanks to the goal difference. In the dress rehearsal for the Champions League cracker, it gets exciting again late.
Bayern Munich deservedly won their dress rehearsal for the Champions League cracker and regained the lead in the Bundesliga. Coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team drew 2-1 (1-0) at VfB Stuttgart, who were threatened with relegation, but had to improve in the round of 16 second leg of the premier class against the star ensemble from Paris St. Germain.
“If you look at the table and FC Bayern is at the top, I always have a good feeling,” said Thomas Müller on Sky, but admitted openly: “It wasn’t a brilliant performance, we weren’t effective enough for that.” With a view to the premier class, however, it was “maybe another good test” because: “On Wednesday it might be tighter right from the start.”
Defender Matthijs de Ligt (39′) gave Bayern the lead with a long-range shot. Shortly before that he had to prevent the 0:1 in dire need. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (62nd) made the preliminary decision with his tenth goal of the season after submitting Thomas Müller, who now has 300 goals in the league – only Robert Lewandowski (367) has more. Juan Perea (88th) created tension again with the VfB goal.
Nagelsmann was faced with a dilemma: should he call on Benjamin Pavard, who was suspended against PSG (first leg 1-0) but in good form, or bring in his eleven for Wednesday? The Bayern coach opted for the second variant and said on Sky: “If we put our heart and soul on the pitch, it will be difficult to beat us” – no matter which eleven. But the famous Bayern greed was only felt in phases.
His colleague Bruno Labbadia had to replace the suspended Borna Sosa and opted for an “ox defense” with four trained central defenders. “We fielded the best people in terms of toughness,” he said. Sosa replacement Dan-Axel Zagadou was there in dire need after a magic solo by Jamal Musiala (13′). VfB could hardly free themselves early on, Hiroki Ito was unlucky with a rare violent shot (17th). Leon Goretzka (18′, 21′) was denied by Stuttgart goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow, who made a strong save.
Then de Ligt was the focus: first the Dutch national player scratched a header from Kostas Mavropanos off the line after the first VfB corner (37th), then he got the visitors ahead from a good 25 meters – Bredlow didn’t look good. Shortly thereafter, Silas had the 1: 1 on the foot (43rd). In the second half, VfB withdrew and Bayern acted more dominant – but the Stuttgart goal was initially not in danger. Choupo-Moting, who had extended his contract until 2024 during the week, got too few balls up front.
Until Musiala played freely and Müller. The veteran served “Mr. Choupo” – 0:2. Nagelsmann was now able to conserve energy and reacted with a triple change on offense: Sadio Mané, Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry came on for Choupo-Moting, Musiala and Kingsley Coman. But after substitute Perea’s header, Bayern really started to swim.
