Bundesliga
Bayern München 5-1 VfB Stuttgart: Kimmich and Olise fire early on as champions cruise at Allianz Arena
Goals from Upamecano, Olise and a Vagnoman own goal sealed a dominant first-half display before late strikes from Pavlovic and Diaz completed the rout.
Bayern München opened their Bundesliga campaign with a commanding 5-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena, with Jamal Kimmich pulling the strings from deep and setting up the opening goal inside the opening half-hour.
The hosts struck first in the 21st minute when Dayot Upamecano finished coolly after a well-worked move orchestrated by Kimmich, whose pinpoint delivery found the defender unmarked at the back post. Stuttgart, lining up in a compact 3-4-2-1 shape under Sebastian Hoeness, struggled to contain Bayern’s fluid attack, with the home side’s 4-2-3-1 formation allowing them to dominate possession and stretch play wide.
Despite trailing, Stuttgart showed resilience and pulled one back in the 52nd minute through Jeremie Vagnoman, who latched onto a loose ball inside the box and slotted home to spark hope among the traveling supporters. The goal briefly shifted momentum, but Bayern responded swiftly, restoring their two-goal cushion just three minutes later when Michael Olise curled a sublime effort into the top corner after another incisive pass from Kimmich.
The night took a dramatic turn in the 57th minute when Vagnoman, under pressure from Leroy Sané, inadvertently sent the ball into his own net, leaving Stuttgart caretaker Manuel Neuhaus rooted as the own goal extended Bayern’s lead to 3-1. The error summed up a difficult evening for the visitors, who had looked threatening early but were increasingly exposed as the game wore on.
Yellow cards began to pile up as the intensity dipped slightly, with Stuttgart’s Noah Atubolu and Felix Jeltsch both receiving cautions in the opening hour, followed by Kim Min-jae for Bayern in the 81st minute after a late challenge. The home crowd remained in fine spirits, however, and were rewarded again in the 82nd minute when Aleks Pavlovic, playing as a makeshift forward, tapped in from close range after a clever one-two with substitute Ian Maatman.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Liverpool-bound Luis Diaz came on for Bayern and added a fifth goal in the second minute of added time, finishing low past Neuhaus after a flowing counter-attack involving several substitutes. The goal capped off a dominant performance and ensured a comfortable send-off for outgoing manager Vincent Kompany, who had overseen a clinical display from his side.
Stuttgart’s consolation came too little and too late, and while they pushed forward in search of a second goal, their defensive frailties were repeatedly exploited. The result leaves them without points in the opening round, while Bayern sit top of the Bundesliga table after Matchday 1.
Referee Sören Storks kept a tight watch on proceedings throughout, dishing out four yellow cards in total as both sides engaged in a spirited contest that ultimately boiled over in favor of the champions. The atmosphere inside the Allianz Arena was electric, with fans celebrating each goal in style as Bayern marked their return to domestic competition in emphatic fashion.
For Kimmich, the evening was a reminder of his importance to the team, contributing two assists and marshalling the midfield with his usual authority. His ability to read the game and deliver precise passes made him the standout performer on the pitch, particularly in the build-up to Upamecano’s opener and Olise’s stunning strike.
Looking ahead, Bayern will be buoyed by this strong start, while Stuttgart must regroup quickly if they hope to compete at the highest level this season. With several key players set to depart in the coming weeks, questions remain over the sustainability of their current squad, but tonight belonged firmly to the reigning champions.