Football Bundesliga
VfB Stuttgart beats Bayern Munich and reaches for the runner-up championship
VfB Stuttgart had three goals to celebrate against FC Bayern Munich
© Photo Huebner / Picture Alliance
FC Bayern Munich has suffered the next blow in the Bundesliga. Two game days before the end of the season, second place is now in danger.
Without a sense of success behind him, he has to FC Bayern Munich are trying to fulfill their Wembley dream. In the Bundesliga, coach Thomas Tuchel’s team lost 1:3 (1:1) at VfB Stuttgart between the two big semi-final games in the Champions League against Real Madrid and missed it on Saturday, once again gaining self-confidence for Wednesday ( 9 p.m./DAZN).
In the duel of third against second, the Stuttgart team, who appeared more awake and lively, took the lead in front of 60,000 spectators through Leonidas Stergiou (29th minute). For Bayern, Harry Kane equalized with his 36th goal of the season with a converted penalty (37th), before substitutes Woo-yeong Jeong (83rd) and Silas Katompa Mvumpa (90th +3) secured the 21st win of the season for the almost relegated team Made the preseason perfect. As a result, FC Bayern’s lead over VfB Stuttgart has shrunk to just two points.
Patience is required in the search for a successor for Coach Tuchel. FCB sports director Max Eberl said in a “Sky” interview immediately before kick-off that Ralf Rangnick’s cancellation was “ultimately surprising”. “But for us it is what it is, and now we can move on,” said the 50-year-old, who did not want to comment further on the names of possible new candidates that were reported in the media before kick-off.
FC Bayern Munich gets off to an unfortunate start
With regard to the semi-final second leg in Madrid, the game could hardly have started more unhappy from a personnel perspective for Bayern, where key players such as Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané were largely or completely rested. First, Eric Dier had to be treated for his head. The Englishman continued playing with a turban. Just a little later, Raphaël Guerreiro couldn’t continue. The Portuguese limped off the field with an injury to his left leg and was replaced by Leon Goretzka (17th).
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“I’m sure that Bayern already have the second leg against Real Madrid in mind and will take that into account in their line-up against us. But no matter what the constellation: there will be a top team on the pitch,” said VfB coach Sebastian Hoeness said. The 41-year-old has also recently been repeatedly linked with Bayern as coach for the coming season, but had once again emphasized his intention to stay on the Neckar in the run-up to the game.
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His team did very well – inspired by their participation in the Champions League being certain this week. The agile national player Chris Führich failed with a shot from Manuel Neuer (10th). Then Dier thwarted the goal against Serhou Guirassy – again the Englishman had to be treated after his spectacular head save.
The Swabians took advantage of their superiority and found a gap. Stergiou took the deserved lead. After some nice preparatory work from Deniz Undav, the full-back lifted the ball over Neuer and into the goal. The response from Munich only took eight minutes. After a touch from Waldemar Anton, national player Serge Gnabry went down in the penalty area. Referee Tobias Welz awarded a penalty, which the VAR confirmed after a long view of the TV images. Kane stepped up and scored safely against goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, who was loaned to VfB from FC Bayern.
Now Real Madrid is waiting
Dier stayed in the dressing room during the break. The already tense personnel situation for Munich has become even worse before the premier class clash at Real. Nevertheless, the guests came out of the cabin at least a little more energetic. Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting pushed the ball past the far post after a pass from Kane (48′). Overall, it was clear that Bayern found it difficult to mentally prepare for the Bundesliga. Munich’s best player was goalkeeper Neuer, who twice had the upper hand against Führich (51st/54th).
Bayern made another appearance offensively. Kane’s attempt failed because of Angelo Stiller, who threw himself into the attacker’s shot (80′). Just three minutes later, Jeong scored from a cross from substitute Silas Katompa Mvumpa. Silas added the third goal in stoppage time.