Die Folgen: Bayern’s 4-2 win over Stuttgart (Bavarian Football Works)
Entering the match needing just one point to clinch the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany had to use a mix of regulars and bench players given just how many injuries the team has and how many other players just needed a rest to take care of ailments or just some downtime.
It would not matter, though, as Bayern Munich is just a machine at the moment and clinched the Bundesliga with a 4-2 victory over VfB Stuttgart. Let’s get into it, here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- Anything would have been believable, so ahead of the DFB-Pokal semifinals, head coach Vincent Kompany produced a split-lineup. Notably, Harry Kane, Aleksandar Pavlović, Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Manuel Neuer, and Michael Olise all started on the bench and got some rest. Even with those players sitting out to start, Bayern Munich had a good lineup.
- Bayern Munich had two very good chances early, but Nicolas Jackson was offside on one and Luis Díaz was off on the other.
- VfB Stuttgart striker Tiago Tomás is only 23-years-old, but he looks much older. I cannot figure it out.
- An interesting VfB Stuttgart player to watch was Angelo Stiller. Stiller is on the bubble for the German national team and a strong game against Bayern Munich could potentially be viewed as a springboard to wrapping up a spot on the roster. Stiller was actually solid until his squad started to get overrun about 30 minutes into the contest. While solid, it might not have moved the needle much for Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann.
- VfB Stuttgart is a very good team, but without Deniz Undav (yellow card suspension), there was not a consistently viable threat for Bayern Munich to deal with.
- That would not matter, though, as Die Schwaben did get on the scoreboard first on a play that left Bayern Munich fans scratching their heads. Josip Stanišić was working his way back down the field (not too hastily), so Raphaël Guerreiro drifted back into Stanišić’s position. As Bilal El Khannouss did some nifty dribbling, Chris Führich made a great diagonal run and was fed a terrific ball from El Khannouss. From a relatively tough angle, Führich beat Jonas Urbig to the far post for a 1-0 lead. Führich just completely smoked Guerreiro on that run and it was a little unclear if Guerreiro thought he would have had more support, but no one was there. Overall, it was just really poor defending and a very solid pass / run by El Khannouss / Führich.
- Even aside of this goal from Führich, he is a very solid and professional winger. It would be great to see him with the German national team at the World Cup this summer.
- Bayern Munich would answer back in a big way, though. First, Jamal Musiala had some dazzling dribble to find Guerriero with a terrific cross. The veteran had a deft finish to make it 1-1 in the 31st minute, but two minutes later Díaz and Jackson got out on the break and the Colombian drew in the last able defender perfectly before sliding pass to Jackson for an easy finish. Wow…what a two-minute sequence.
- In the 37th minute, the rout was truly on and luck was on Bayern Munich’s side. After receiving a pass from Díaz, Alphonso Davies unleashed an awkward looking shot, but it hit a defender and evaded Bayern Munich-loanee Alexander Nübel for a 3-1 lead. VfB Stuttgart looked stunned!
- From that point, Nübel was under pretty consistent duress.
- Let’s just say this, Jamal Musiala looked as confident and physically capable as he has all season. This was a massive and important performance for him.
- Bayern Munich did not lose much steam after halftime. Harry Kane checked in for Musiala (who was awesome) and Michael Olise came in for Díaz.
- Davies looked good as well…yet another positive step for Bayern Munich and one that could present some danger to opponents of the Bavarians moving forward.
- It took Kane all of seven minutes to score and he volleyed home a rebound of a shot from Goretzka that Nübel initially stopped.
- Bayern Munich was just dominant from there. The Bavarians kept pressure on VfB Stuttgart and pretty much stifled everything. One outlier was Urbig’s great stop on El Khannouss in the 70th minute. The kid is good.
- Bara Sapoko Ndiaye and Deniz Ofli came on late for Bayern Munich, which was good to see.
- Chema Andrés scored a banger for VfB Stuttgart in the 88th minute.
- Nübel made a big stop on Olise about a minute after the goal, which had to feel good for the goalkeeper.
- Overall, Bayern Munich just continued to do what it has done all season — win in convincing fashion. The Bavarians were dominant and clearly head-and-shoulders than VfB Stuttgart on this day. The end result was a 35th German football title and mass of happy fans (even the ones who were celebrating from a jail cell…probably).
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
United not chasing Cardozo (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Manchester United has been linked to Bayern Munich youngster Maycon Cardozo, but Sport Bild;s Christian Falk says that is bollocks:
❌ It is NOT TRUE: Manchester United want to sign Maycon Cardozo. It’s true that they know him – they sent scouts to watch the teenager. He’s a really interesting guy. Cardozo hasn’t had a normal career. He’s a member of Bayern’s World Squad initiative. They scout talents all over the world and put them in a team. The Brazilian played in Thailand, and now he’s at Bayern Munich. We have to see what happens with him, but at the moment, I don’t think United will sign him in the summer.
It’s hard to say what his potential looks like. Cardozo’s not a big guy; he needs to work on his body. But he’s talented! Perhaps Bayern will look to send the 17-year-old out on loan. Perhaps he’ll get a chance if Bayern doesn’t end up signing wingers this summer.
Grimaldo to Barca? (Fussballdaten’s Ekrem Konur)
Bayer Leverkusen left-back / wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo is one of the Bundesliga’s best, but La Masia grad could be contemplating a return to FC Barcelona:
The interest of Serie A giants: In their search for stability at left-back, Juventus and Milan are closely monitoring Grimaldo’s situation. It is well known that the Italian clubs value his tactical discipline and his strength in set-piece situations.
One of the most productive wing-backs in modern football, 30-year-old Alejandro Grimaldo , is preparing to sign the “final” contract of his career after two outstanding seasons at Bayer Leverkusen . For the Spanish star, who is currently under contract with Leverkusen until 2027, the summer of 2026 could represent a strategic turning point for both the club and the player.
Barcelona’s “return” plan: Sporting director Deco has placed Grimaldo – who was trained at the La Masia academy – at the top of his list. In their search for a player with high attacking prowess and financial resources to compete with Alejandro Balde, Barça wants to benefit from Grimaldo’s experience.
PSG might make a move for Martinelli (ESPN)
For a brief period last summer, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli was on Bayern Munich’s radar. That deal never worked out, but the Brazilian could now be a target for Paris Saint-Germain:
Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Luis Campos has held a meeting with the representatives of Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, ahead of a potential summer switch, according to L’Equipe. PSG reached another Champions League semifinal in midweek and are looking to sign another attacker for the summer. Martinelli, who has a contract until 2027 with Arsenal, is an option as the Gunners need to raise money from player exits to sign new players themselves. PSG have also held talks with representatives of RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, but his transfer could cost upward of €80 million.
Falk says Eberl, Freund are not at odds (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Despite rumors of internal strife (would it really be a season at Bayern Munich without some discussion of people being at odds at Säbener Straße)
❌ It is NOT TRUE: Max Eberl and Christoph Freund’s relationship has become strained in recent weeks. Yesterday at the stadium, we talked with the bosses, with the CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, and with the President, Herbert Hainer, and they both said it’s complete nonsense. Eberl and Freund are working very well together. The thing we need to watch out for is the future of Max Eberl. The supervisory board (made up of Uli Hoeneß, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Herbert Hainer) have to decide what will happen with the head of sport, Eberl, this summer.
Christoph Freund, who’s a level lower (as the sporting director), has earned the confidence of the Bayern bosses, and he’s going to get a new contract. The same can’t be said for absolutely certain, as far as Max Eberl is concerned. So, I can appreciate how, from the outside looking in, some might feel there’s a problem between these two guys, but that simply isn’t the case. They’re working really well together, and they’ve made some great decisions. They brought Michael Olise in, they brought Vincent Kompany in, and while it may be hard for Liverpool fans to hear, they also brought Luis Diaz in. It’s possible that FC Bayern have the best offence in Europe, as we’ve seen in the win against Real Madrid. This is ultimately thanks to the work of these two guys.
BVB could make move for Mavropanos (Sky Germany via ESPN)
Borussia Dortmund could be looking at former VfB Stuttgart defender and current West Ham United player Konstantinos Mavropanos:
Borussia Dortmund have internally discussed a move for West Ham United defender Konstantinos Mavropanos in recent weeks, Sky Germany reports. The 28-year-old is wanted by several Bundesliga and Premier League clubs after a string of impressive recent performances, and is reported to be “seeking a new challenge” so will push to leave the club at the end of the season, despite having a contract until 2028.
Just give us this one (CBS Sports Golazo)
It might be a tough summer for us Americans at the World Cup, so just let us have this moment as United States-born Pellegrino Matarazzo became the first American-born manager to win a trophy in a top five league:
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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