Narrow defeat

Bold VfB

VfB Stuttgart began the match on the front foot and put Bayern under significant pressure early on, forcing the defending champions into a number of errors in their build-up play. Nevertheless, Bayern still had the first chance of the game when Joshua Kimmich tested Fabian Bredlow with a long-range drive in the 12^th minute, while Hiroki Ito went close with an effort of his own from distance a short while later (17’).
Bayern gradually began to find their footing, though, and Bredlow was called into action again to tip a close-range Leon Goretzka header over the bar (21’). The match developed into an end-to-end spectacle thanks to VfB’s passionate and courageous display in going toe-to-toe with Bayern. Bruno Labbadia’s side went within inches of taking
the lead in the 37^th minute, only for Dinos Mavropanos’ header to be hooked off the line by Matthijs de Ligt. Bayern’s Dutch defender was in the spotlight again three minutes later when he broke the deadlock with a shot from the edge of the box. Silas then had a glimpse of goal just before the interval but shot wide on the turn (43’).

VfB unfazed

Bayern enjoyed the better start in the second half, although they initially struggled to create any dangerous openings against a robust home rearguard. However, the visitors
did extend their lead in the 62^nd minute when Thomas Müller flicked the ball into the path of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who slotted into the net past Bredlow. The tempo of the game waned somewhat after that – until VfB pulled a goal back in the closing stages. Tiago Tomas’ cross from the left found Juan Jose Perea, who executed a textbook header to reduce the deficit. VfB pushed for an equaliser until the final whistle and almost took a point, but Tanguy Coulibaly’s header bounced just wide of the far post.

The goals:

40th minute (0-1): De Ligt shoots from distance. Bredlow gets a hand to it, but the ball goes into the bottom corner.

62nd minute (0-2) Bayern link up well through the middle, with Müller teeing up the unmarked Choupo-Moting to score his team’s second.

88th minute (1-2): Tomas whips a cross into the middle and finds Perea, who heads in from 10 yards out.

Reaction:

Bruno Labbadia, VfB head coach: “We went into the match with plenty of courage. We put Bayern under a lot of pressure in the first 15 minutes and won possession back well. But we were aware that we would have to defend deep at times. We managed that well but fell behind to a long-distance goal. It wouldn’t have been undeserved if we’d equalised at 2-2 at the end. Ultimately Bayern’s quality made the difference. We’re disappointed.”