Die Folgen: Bayern’s 5-1 victory over Stuttgart (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich opened up its Bundesliga campaign with VfB Stuttgart in a game that was rainy, choppy, and not available on every kind of television here in the United States.
Sometimes, games like this help build character within a team as the squad looks to battle through a good opponent and tough conditions — and that is exactly what Bayern Munich did in a 5-1 victory. Let’s dive into the details from the first step in a 34-game journey in Germany’s top flight:
- The starting XI featured a couple of surprises — Nathaniel Brown was the attacking midfielder again, while Kim Min-jae started over Jonathan Tah at center-back. Here is to hoping there is some rotation behind this and not any minor issues with Tah.
- Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart scuffled to gain the advantage through the first 15 minutes, but the Bavarians did not seem to be sweating it too much.
- Michael Olise took a 17th minute free kick, but it went just wide.
- VfB Stuttgart’s gold jerseys made me want a soft pretzel. Those were….spicy mustardy (new word).
- In the 21st minute, a Joshua Kimmich corner (social media had to erupt and dismiss this as a freak thing) found the head of Dayot Upamecano for the season’s first goal. It might have hit off of VfB Stuttgart defender Jeff Chabot, but it was a goal either way.
- In the 26th minute, only a great stop from VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow on Luis Díaz prevented it from being a 2-0 game.
- The game opened up a bit as VfB Stuttgart needed to start taking more chances, but that was really only going to benefit the Bavarians in the long haul of this match.
- In the 38th minute, Bredlow also stopped a blast from Brown. For a guy, who did not come in very heralded, Bredlow had some great moments.
- Harry Kane was really playing the role of distributor on the day.
- By the end of the first half, it was very clear that Bayern Munich was the better team,but also that VfB Stuttgart was not going to let this be an easy win. Sebastian Hoeneß’s team was fighting like hell for everything, but it did feel like the Bavarians had the potential for a big second half.
- Well…about that. In the 52nd minute, a great cross in from Maximilian Mittelstädt created a good chance for VfB Stuttgart, which Neuer saved. However, that made for some nice chaos in front of the net, which Josha Vagnoman took advantage of to make it 1-1.
- Sidenote, but Mittelstädt would have absolutely helped Germany in the World Cup. Julian Nagelsmann…come on man.
- Luckily for Bayern Munich, Michael Olise put the Bavarians back up just three minutes later. The Frenchman sauntered his way to a diagonal run in front of the net (it was actually a great strategic movement) and converted a pass from Kimmich for the lead.
- And, yes, that potential for a big second half was underway — but not in the way you think. Persistent pressure from Bayern Munich made VfB Stuttgart scramble and ultimately led to an own goal from Vagnoman.
- Olise almost made it 4-1 in the 63rd minute after scoring on a feed from Kane, but it was called off by VAR.
- Kane was so deep. We joke about it, but he looked like the holding midfielder.
- In the 82nd minute, Aleksandar Pavlović made it 4-1 after a nice feed from Ismael Saibari. What a nice play.
- Lennart Karl got some garbage time minutes in an attempt to shake off some rust.
- It sounds weird to say in a game that ended 5-1, but I did like the efforts from VfB defenders Jeff Chabot, Finn Jeltsch, and Mittelstädt. Stuttgart is going to be good this season, but it was a very tough draw to get Bayern Munich right off the bat. I do not anticipate that VfB Stuttgart will have trouble scoring goals against most teams…Bayern Munich is a different animal, though.
- Two minutes into added time, Luis Díaz makes it 5-1! Somehow this is ending up in a rout. Saibari added another assist!
- Overall, it was a very positive start for the boys in red. They were dominant in every facet of the game against a very good team. Sure, it was not always the most picturesque contest, but it was a solid beginning to this season.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Bayern still eyeing Mbaye? If so, we have bad news (ESPN)
Bayern Munich was reportedly interested in Paris Saint-Germain phenom Ibrahim Mbaye:
Bayern Munich have asked for information on Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, as reported by Nicolo Schira. Mbaye, 18, has been linked with a €50 million move to Liverpool and the Senegal international is open to leaving Les Parisiens this summer in search of more game time — he has only made it onto the bench once in PSG’s three competitive matches so far this term and hasn’t yet got onto the pitch.
As it turns out, Aston Villa ended up getting Mbaye:
If the kid is ready for first team action (which seems to be the case), Bayern Munich might not have been a great fit for him at the moment.
Southampton inks Schlotterbeck, trolls fans (Southampton FC)
Man, some of the fans in the replies were confused by Southampton inking Schlotterbeck…Keven Schlotterbeck:
Galatasaray misses on Milan winger Leão (ESPN)
Rafael Leão looked like he might be going to Galatasaray, but things eventually took a hard turn:
AC Milan winger Rafael Leão remains a target for Galatasaray after Aston Villa withdrew their interest, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Rossoneri won’t budge from their demands of €50m plus another €10m in bonuses for the 27-year-old, though, and Gala are persisting to try to reach an agreement but don’t want to get to certain figures. The Turkish Super Lig club is expected to increase their latest offer for the Portugal international.
Later, news dropped that a deal could be getting closer:
AC Milan have accepted a €45 million package from Galatasaray to sign winger Rafael Leão while Aston Villa are still pushing to land him on a loan with an obligation to sign permanently next summer, as reported by The Athletic. The Turkish Super Lig side are offering the Portugal international an annual salary worth around €12 million, but Leao is yet to decide his future. The report claims that the 27-year-old’s preference is to join Villa, but Milan would prefer a permanent deal this summer.
Then, Fabrizio Romano checked in with a “here we go” for Leão to….Aston Villa:
🚨🟣🔵 BREAKING: Rafael Leão to Aston Villa, here we go! Deal now done and documents completed.
Villa will cover his €8m/year salary. Unai Emery personally drove the deal.✅
The star player did not choose Galatasaray.❌
🔥🔥
Goretzka’s new duds (Aston Villa)
If you wanted to get a glimpse of what former Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka looks like in his new Aston Villa training gear, we have you covered:
Leipzig gets new striker (Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano)
RB Leipzig has been looking to add some juice to its attack since selling Yan Diomandé to Real Madrid. Now, that problem could be solved:
Napoli kicked tires on Woltemade (Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano)
According to this report, Napoli sent an inquiry to Newcastle to see if Nick Woltemade would be available on a loan assignment:
🚨🔵⚪️ EXCL: Napoli made contact to ask with Newcastle over last 24h to ask about Nick Woltemade availability on loan deal.
Napoli have easier option available with Marc Guiu from Chelsea but also explored Woltemade. Decision up to #NUFC.
It feels like Woltemade needs a move, and if he does not get one, he could be at risk of risking a regression in his career.
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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