FC Bayern Munich kicked off the new Bundesliga season in dominant fashion on Friday night, dismantling VfB Stuttgart 5:1. The reigning champions weathered an early scare and bounced back immediately from a brief second-half defensive lapse, powered by a masterclass from midfielder Joshua Kimmich.
Bayern Opens Bundesliga Campaign with Five-Goal Demolition
Playing through a bleeding ankle injury, Kimmich delivered two crucial assists to orchestrate the rout. High above the pitch, newly appointed Germany national team coach Jürgen Klopp watched intently from the tribunes alongside DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, observing several core national team contenders as domestic league action resumed.
Early Sparks and Kimmich Playing Through Blood
Stuttgart came out of the tunnel with high energy, forcing the pace from the opening whistle. Tiago Tomás rattled the crossbar in the 12th minute, coming agonizingly close to putting the visitors ahead. Bayern answered right back when Michael Olise struck the woodwork with a curling free-kick in the 17th minute.
Moments later, Kimmich sustained a wound to his ankle following a heavy challenge with Tomás, leaving the midfielder sprawling on the turf with a bloodied sock. Officials issued no disciplinary card for the tackle. Refusing to come off, Kimmich stayed on the pitch and immediately engineered the opening breakthrough.
From Bayern’s very first corner kick of the evening, Kimmich whipped a pinpoint delivery to the near post. Dayot Upamecano rose high above the defense to head home the 1:0 opener in the 21st minute. League match data showed the strike marked the 20th time in Bundesliga history that Bayern has scored the first goal of a new campaign, extending an all-time league record.
Stuttgart Strikes Back Before the Floodgates Open
Stuttgart drew level shortly after the interval. Manuel Neuer produced a sharp initial save against Jelle Chabot, but the rebound fell through Tomás to Josha Vagnoman, who slotted home to make it 1:1 in the 52nd minute. The milestone goal arrived as Neuer made his 600th competitive appearance for the club, entering his 21st Bundesliga season.
Parity lasted a mere three minutes. Kimmich threaded a sublime pass through the defense to Olise, who finished coolly to restore the lead at 2:1. The advantage blew wide open when Alphonso Davies surged down the left flank and fired a sharp cross into the box. Vagnoman, attempting to clear, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
Newcomer and substitute Ismael Saibari stamped his mark on the match late in the half, laying off a cross for Aleksandar Pavlović to convert for a commanding 4:1 margin in the 82nd minute. In stoppage time, Saibari added a second assist, setting up Luis Díaz to cap the 5:1 scoreline in the 90th minute plus stoppage.
Klopp Surveys the Talent at the Allianz Arena
For Klopp, the opening night offered an immediate, high-stakes scouting opportunity alongside DFB staff. Speaking with domestic broadcasters during the fixture, Klopp confirmed plans to visit Bayern’s Säbener Straße training ground to meet with players and observe club routines firsthand.
As the domestic calendar advances, Bayern turns its focus toward the next fixture, while Stuttgart heads back to the drawing board to regroup following a bruising opening-round defeat.
Worth a look
