Bundesliga: Bayern are not giving VfB Stuttgart a chance

Bayern Munich asserted their dominance once again with a resounding 5:1 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the opening match of the new Bundesliga season at the Allianz Arena on Friday evening, August 28, 2026. The win marked a swift return to form for the Bavarians, who were last season's champions and immediately reclaimed the top spot in the standings. Dayot Upamecano opened the scoring in the 21st minute, setting the tone for a dominant display that saw the hosts dismantle their opponents with clinical efficiency. The game began with intensity, and Stuttgart had a chance early on through Tiago Tomás, whose header in the 12th minute narrowly missed the right post after a cross from Ramon Hendriks. However, the visitors' efforts soon faded under the weight of Bayern’s superior quality. Upamecano capitalized on a defensive error in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a corner delivered by Joshua Kimmich and finding space to head home the opener. The lead lasted just five minutes before Stuttgart equalized through Josha Vagnoman, who scored against his former club in the 52nd minute. But the momentum quickly shifted back to Bayern. Michael Olise restored the lead in the 55th minute following a pinpoint pass from Kimmich, and Vagnoman's misfortune struck in the 58th minute when he scored an unfortunate own goal, effectively sealing Stuttgart's fate. The floodgates opened thereafter, with Aleksandar Pavlovic adding a fourth goal in the 82nd minute and Luis Díaz completing the scoring in the 90th minute plus two seconds. The final scoreline reflected the overwhelming superiority of the reigning champions. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining hunger and resetting everything to zero. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Stuttgart's physicality but highlighted the players' ability to continue performing despite adversity. His counterpart, Sebastian Hoeneß, admitted there were areas for improvement, though he refrained from focusing on the referee's decisions given the heavy defeat. Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav pointed out the clear difference in execution between the two teams, stating that Bayern simply made more chances count. Despite the loss, Stuttgart showed resilience throughout the match, particularly in the first half, where they attempted to disrupt Bayern's rhythm with high pressing and quick transitions. Their efforts were met with composure from the defending champions, who maintained control and exploited gaps in the opposition defense. Stuttgart had several opportunities, including a shot from Dzenan Pejcinovic in the 27th minute, which curled wide of the post. They also came close to earning a penalty in the second half when Olise was fouled near the box, but the referee did not award the spot-kick. The match also marked a milestone for Manuel Neuer, who played his 600th Bundesliga match for Bayern. The veteran goalkeeper made crucial saves, notably stopping a shot from Jeff Chabot in the first half, although he could not prevent the eventual collapse of his side. The atmosphere inside the Allianz Arena was electric, with fans chanting their usual mantra of confidence in the team's ability to secure victories. Jürgen Klopp, the newly appointed Germany national team coach, attended the match and observed several potential candidates for his squad. Among them was Pejcinovic, whom he plans to meet with in Stuttgart later in the week. The encounter provided insights into both teams' strategies, with Stuttgart employing man-marking tactics to contain Bayern's star players, particularly Kane and Kimmich. As the Bundesliga season kicks off, Bayern have set a high bar with this emphatic start. With a record of 15 consecutive unbeaten league openers, the Bavarians aim to continue their dominance while addressing the issues highlighted by Hoeneß. For Stuttgart, the challenge lies in regrouping and identifying areas to improve ahead of their upcoming fixtures. The match has already underscored the stark contrast in class between the two sides, with Bayern reaffirming their status as the league's premier force.