Great class from FC Bayern Munich and Harry Kane, major mistakes from VfB Stuttgart – these were the reasons why the top game in the Bundesliga ended clearly. In the record champions’ 5-0 (1-0) away win, Konrad Laimer started the Bavarian offensive run in the 11th minute, Kane made it very clear with a hat-trick shortly after his substitution (66th, 82nd and 88th), and Josip Stanisic scored in the meantime (78th).
This means that the record champions remain (by far) the measure of all things, have extended their record run and scored 37 out of 39 possible points this season. And once again FC Bayern managed it, even though their exceptional striker got a break – but he then showed how good he is as a joker. Like many other stars, Kane initially sat on the bench, but still scored his 15 to 17 goals this season.
“You should never take that for granted. Of course, a player like that can always make the difference, that’s his quality. In terms of feeling, it wasn’t a bad game to get in because the spaces were a little bigger because Stuttgart tried a lot. Harry made great use of that.”said coach Vincent Kompany in the Sportschau interview. “We showed that we just won’t stop. We always try to give the best and full throttle, which is why we score so many goals.”
Stuttgart presses courageously, but causes problems
Stuttgart had quite obviously taken Union Berlin as its model. The capital city team had FC Bayern on the verge of defeat during the week’s 2-3 win in the DFB Cup, but managed to do so with high pressing and man-marking across the entire field – and Sebastian Hoeneß also let his team act against the ball. But it created problems for itself.
In the 2nd minute, Ameen Al-Dakhil was shown a yellow card, two minutes later he was the last man to give Nicolas Jackson the first big chance and was just able to save (4th), seconds later Jamie Leweling was also booked. And it didn’t take long for the opening goal – but it was much more of a brilliant performance by a Munich trio.
Laimer and Olise – Bayern dream goal for leadership
Kompany had given Jonas Urbig, who was replacing Manuel Neuer, the requirement to overcome the VfB man marking with his long balls – and that worked very well, and not only in the 1-0 win. Laimer took Urbig’s shot superbly and played to Olise, who passed through the legs of Maximilian Mittelstädt to serve Laimer again, whose backheel trick was also tunneled by Alexander Nübel (11th).
Bayern dominated the opening phase and were rewarded – but Stuttgart found a way back into the game. Hoeneß adjusted his tactics slightly; his strong team was more concerned with possession of the ball again, and this control obviously brought security. Nikolas Nartey missed the first good chance (17th), after which nothing happened in the game for a long time.
Stuttgart’s Nartey brings it Video referee on the plan
Namely until Nübel turned a harmless shot from Olise into a very exciting number. The Stuttgart keeper, on loan from FC Bayern, let the Frenchman’s weak attempt slip under his body, but he was lucky that the ball rolled behind him just wide of the post (34′). But then the Munich team needed a lot of luck.
The Stuttgart team also knew that the Kompany team had problems defensively when the balls were stationary – but centimeters and video evidence prevented the equalizer. After a free kick cross, Nartey headed the score 1-1, but the 25-year-old had previously been offside with his shoulder and leg (40′). Otherwise it would have been the sixth standard goal conceded for Bayern – previously there were five (three from corners, two from free kicks) out of nine in this way.
But Stuttgart also became dangerous from the game. With his attempt, Chema Andres had the most dangerous of nine VfB shots on goal in the first half (there had never been so many against Bayern under Kompany before the break), but the ball went just wide (45th + 5). And initially things went like they did in Berlin for Munich – it didn’t take many good moments, but a lot of luck.
Joker Kane scores 128 kilometers per hour for Munich
The record champions didn’t want to challenge that too much after the break and came out of the locker room much more offensively. But Nübel parried a volley from Goretzka (50th) – and suddenly his counterpart also had to show his class on the line. Deniz Undav got his first shot, which was deflected in such a way that Urbig had to stretch out to direct the ball over the crossbar (59′).
After an hour, Kane came into the game – and he really let things rip just a few minutes later. The striker stormed off from around 45 meters, got a lot of space and tried a low shot from around 23 meters – and it whizzed straight into the corner at 128 kilometers per hour (66th). It was a goal that only Kane can score in the Bundesliga with his shooting technique.
Kane and Assignon expulsion ensure long VfB faces
Bayern had laid the foundation for success with great goals – then Stuttgart made things really bitter. Nübel let a harmless shot from Stanisic slip through his hands to make it 0-3 (75th), then Lorenz Assignon fended off an Olise shot on the line, there was a red card and a penalty – and Kane converted it (82nd), who then made it 5-0 from close range (88th).
The Munich goal machine didn’t even have enough time on the pitch for half an hour to score a hat-trick – and deprive Stuttgart of any hope. VfB has to find that back by Thursday when the Europa League continues against Maccabi Tel-Aviv (6.45 p.m.). FC Bayern’s next game in the Champions League is on Tuesday – again with Kane in the starting line-up – and the opponent is Sporting Lisbon (6.45 p.m.).