Stuttgart 1-2 Bayern Munich: Visitors hold on to claim valuable victory and return to top of Bundesliga table

Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga table with a 2-1 victory over Stuttgart, thanks to goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Eric Choupo-Moting.

De Ligt crashed home the game’s opening goal from long range, aided by the weak wrists of goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow, who should have done better. Just minutes before, De Ligt had cleared off his own line.

Choupo-Moting doubled the advantage in the second half, finishing off a fine team move having been played in by Thomas Muller. Choupo-Moting signed a new Bayern contract just yesterday.

Stuttgart appeared beaten, but pulled a goal back late on when Juan Jose Perea nodded in a super cross.

Sadio Mane was a second-half substitute as he continues his comeback from injury, while Bayern were able to give several frontline players the last 30 minutes off as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The win takes Bayern level on points with Borussia Dortmund, but top on goal difference.

TALKING POINT – Bayern back on top

After Dortmund’s statement win yesterday, it was important for Bayern to respond and they did just that in an uncomfortable environment. Because they held out at the end, this will go down as a classic hallmark-of-champions performance – not at their best, but good enough to get the job done. Dortmund may have the momentum, but Bayern have the experience of winning this league 10 seasons in a row and they also have great strength in depth, as shown by bringing Mane, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry on at the same time this evening. They remain the title favourites.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich)

In a game-defining three minutes, De Ligt saved, and then scored, a goal. Bayern’s defence rarely looked troubled, but when they did he was often there to mop up.

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuttgart: Bredlow 4, Anton 5, Mavropanos 7, Zagadou 6, Ito 6, Endo 6, Karazor 5, Haraguchi 5, Dias 5, Fuhrich 5, Silas 6. Subs: Coulibaly 6, Tomas 5, Perea 6, Nartey n/a, Millot n/a.

Bayern Munich: Sommer 6, Stanisic 6, Upamecano 7, De Ligt 8, Davies 7, Goretzka 6, Kimmich 6, Coman 6, Muller 7, Musiala 7, Choupo-Moting 7. Subs: Mane 5, Gnabry 6, Sane 5, Pavard n/a, Gravenberch n/a.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

ITO COMES CLOSE 17′ – The Stuttgart left-back is given time on the ball and lines up a long-range shot, hitting the ball cleanly, and it fizzes narrowly wide.

GORETZKA DENIED 22′ – Goretzka has a free header, six yards out, but sends to ball in Bredlow’s direction and the goalie makes a fine reflex save.

OFF THE LINE 37′ – Sommer is beaten in the air by Mavropanos and bailed out by de Ligt, who hooks off the line. A cleaner header and Mavropanos would have scored.

DE LIGT SCORES 39′ – Bayern lead out of nowhere! De Ligt cuts onto his right foot and shoots from 30 yards, beating Bredlow who should have done a lot better.

BAYERN DOUBLE LEAD 62′ – Choupo-Moting scores a lovely team goal! Musiala turns, surges forward and finds Muller, who flicks the ball into the path of Chuopo-Moting who in turn slots home.

STUTTGART GET A GOAL BACK – 88′ Seemingly from nowhere, Perea heads home a brilliant cross.

KEY STAT

Bayern have scored 100 away goals against Stuttgart and are the first team to ever reach that mark against a Bundesliga opponent.