Match report: Stuttgart 1-2 Bayern Munich
A long-range Matthijs de Ligt strike helped keep the wheels of efficiency in motion, as Bayern Munich ascended back to the top of the Bundesliga table courtesy of a 13th straight H2H away win at Stuttgart, keeping themselves on course for an eleventh successive German title.
The form of Borussia Dortmund since the start of the year has blown what was already an absorbing title race wide open, and their victory against RB Leipzig on Friday meant that Bayern needed a win here against struggling Stuttgart to retain their place at the Bundesliga summit.
Despite their underdog status, the Mercedes-Benz Arena was bouncing before the match, and Die Schwaben started the game with the intensity to match their illustrious opponents.
Hiroki Ito struck a fierce long-shot just wide of the post, while Chris Führich and Silas looked to use pressing play to disrupt the Bayern rhythm.
The first big chance of the game went the way of the Bavarians, however, when Fabian Bredlow produced a fantastic save to keep out Leon Goretzka’s header from point-blank range.
Yet, the unwavering home side would have had the opener themselves, when Konstantinos Mavropanos rose higher than Yann Sommer from a corner, but for the hooked clearance of De Ligt to leave Bayern fans breathing a sigh of relief.
And the Dutch defender ensured the value of his goal-line heroics would grow exponentially soon after, when he made the difference at the other end of the pitch just minutes later.
Brimming with confidence, De Ligt fired a low drive from distance, and the previously excellent Bredlow couldn’t prevent Bayern from taking the lead and sending the away section into raptures.
Bayern’s supporters were still in full voice heading into the second half, but the Stuttgart faithful remained hopeful of a strong response on the pitch.
The Swabians went close through Waldemar Anton, before their hearts were broken for good when the visitors conjured up a killer second.
Some crisp passing involving Jamal Musiala and Thomas Müller carved open the defence, and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting was able to place a shot into the bottom corner for 2-0.
Stuttgart continued to look for an avenue back into the game, and just as chances of a late rally were looking ever the more unlikely, substitute Juan José Perea emphatically headed an Enzo Millot cross past Sommer to set up a grandstand finish.
And Bruno Labbadia’s side thought they had snatched a point when Tanguy Coulibaly saw his header float just wide of the post, ensuring that the relieved ‘Rekordmeister’ remain top for another week.
