Bayern Munich start Bundesliga title defense in style against VfB Stuttgart
Bayern Munich picked up where they left off in the Bundesliga last season, starting their title defense in the best possible way against VfB Stuttgart on Friday. The record Bundesliga champions clinched a 5-1 win in their first game of the season at Allianz Arena.
Vincent Kompany made a couple of changes to the starting XI that played against Borussia Dortmund in last weekend’s Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. Alphonso Davies replaced Josip Stanisic at left-back, while Jonathan Tah made way for Dayot Upamecano in the heart of the defense.
Bayern had a quiet start to the game, which is understandable as players are still to get back in full rhythm after a shorter summer break. Stuttgart had a bright chance through Tiago Thomas, but the Portuguese forward couldn’t keep the shot on target. Michael Olise struck the woodwork in the 17th minute from a free kick around the box.
The hosts largely dominated possession despite a quiet start. The game came to life for Bayern when Joshua Kimmich took an inch-perfect set-piece in the 21st minute and found Dayot Upamecano in the box. The French defender got across his marker and nodded the ball past Fabian Bredlow to make it 1-0 for the defending champions.
After scoring the opening goal of the Bundesliga campaign, Bayern cranked up the pressure on the visitors. They had nine shots in the first half, with five on target, but some brilliant saves from Bredlow ensured that Stuttgart remained in the game going into the half-time break.
Goals galore in the second half
The second half started in the best possible way for Stuttgart as they managed to score the equaliser in the 52nd minute. Josha Vagnoman made sweet contact at the edge of the box to volley the ball past Manuel Neuer. The German goalkeeper had made a tidy save to deny Dzenan Pejcinovic, but the follow-up shot from Vagnoman was beyond his reach.
The equaliser from Stuttgart woke up Bayern, and they took no time to assert their dominance on the game and scoresheet. Kimmich slipped a great through pass to find Michael Olise in the center of the box in the 55th minute. The French forward timed his run to perfection and expertly slotted the ball past Bredlow.
Vagnomon scored at the other end two minutes later to double Die Roten’s lead. Davies squared the ball across the face of the goal. Vagnomon was well-placed to clear the goal, but he unfortunately slipped and bundled the ball into the net.
Stuttgart had no chance of coming back in the game once Bayern went up 3-1. The hosts continued to create chances and piled on the pressure on Stuttgart’s defense. New signing Ismael Saibari marked his Bundesliga debut with an assist as he selflessly squared the ball for Aleksandar Pavlovic.
The Moroccan attacking midfielder grabbed his second assist of the game to make it 5-1 for Bayern. Tom Bischof won the ball in the centre circle. Saibari eventually got the ball and found the run of Luis Diaz. The Colombian finished with aplomb to seal a comfortable opening-day win for Bayern in the Bundesliga.
Bayern still look rusty, but Kompany’s attacking opposition makes them a frightening team to face even on their ordinary days. The win on Friday further strengthened the claims of Bayern being overwhelming favourites to clinch the Bundesliga title this season.
Stats courtesy- Fotmob
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