Bayern Munich crowned Bundesliga champions for 34th time after victory over VfB Stuttgart
Bayern Munich recovered from a goal down to cruise past VfB Stuttgart and clinch their 34th Bundesliga title in style with four games to spare.
Bayern Munich 4-2 VfB Stuttgart
Goals: 0-1 Führich 21’ (assist: El Khannouss), 1-1 Guerreiro 31’ (assist: Musiala) , 2-1 Jackson 33’ (assist: Díaz), 3-1 Davies 37’ (assist: Díaz), 4-1 Kane 52’, 4-2 Chema 88’ (assist: Karazor)
Following Borussia Dortmund’s defeat at Hoffenheim on Saturday, Vincent Kompany’s side needed only a point against Stuttgart to be crowned German champions for the 35th time overall. Only Augsburg and Mainz had avoided defeat at the Allianz Arena in the league this season, while Bayern had already beaten the Swabians 5-0 when they faced them at the MHP Arena in early December.
UEFA Champions League hopefuls Stuttgart, though, travelled to Munich in impressive recent form. Sebastian Hoeneß’s troops had lost only two of their previous 16 league games, leaving them fourth in the standings and well placed to secure a return to Europe’s premier club competition next season. For a while, at least, it looked as though the Swabians might spoil Bayern’s title party.
After weathering an early Bayern storm, the visitors stunned the Allianz Arena in the 21st minute when Bilal El Khannouss' perfectly timed pass set up Chris Führich, who guided a composed finish past Jonas Urbig and into the bottom corner from inside the penalty area.
That goal seemed to galvanise Bayern, who responded with three of their own in a devastating six-minute spell before half-time. Just 10 minutes after the opener, Jamal Musiala weaved through several defenders before cutting the ball back for Raphaël Guerreiro to tap home from close range.
Just two minutes after that, Luis Díaz set up Nicolas Jackson for a simple finish to put Bayern ahead for the first time in the match. The hosts were not done yet, with Alphonso Davies extending their lead eight minutes before half-time with a deflected outside-of-the-boot effort, leaving Alexander Nübel with no chance.
Bayern made a double switch at half-time, with Harry Kane and Michael Olise replacing Musiala and Díaz. It didn't take long for Kane to make his impact felt, scoring Bayern's fourth goal in the 52nd minute after Leon Goretzka's initial shot was saved by Nübel. The England striker, who had scored a hat-trick against Stuttgart in the reverse fixture, reacted quickest to slot home and effectively seal both the match and the title.
Stuttgart made changes of their own, with Chema Andrés replacing Angelo Stiller just after the hour mark. It was the substitute who provided a late consolation for the visitors with a brilliant strike from outside the box in the 88th minute, but it was not enough to deny Bayern a 13th Bundesliga crown in 14 years.
Man of the Match: Alphonso Davies
Davies was the standout performer in Bayern's title-clinching victory. The Canadian left-back not only scored a crucial goal to put Bayern 3-1 up but was also a constant threat down the left flank.
The full-back registered the second-highest Fantasy score (262 points) at the Allianz Arena and was Bayern's fastest player, clocking an impressive 34.21 km/h. His understanding with Díaz was particularly effective, leading to several dangerous attacks before he was substituted for Konrad Laimer in the 63rd minute.
Watch: Bayern celebrate the title
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bayern Munich 4.42 - Stuttgart 1.00
Fastest player: Josha Vagnoman (Stuttgart), 35.25 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 3-1 by Alphonso Davies (Bayern), 10 percent
Most pressed player: Michael Olise (Bayern), 20 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern), +3.8
Fantasy Heroes: Raphaël Guerreiro (Bayern, 316 Points), Alphonso Davies (Bayern, 262 Points), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern, 258 Points)
