Already crowned German champions Bayern Munich will host relegation-threatened VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga encounter at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 8. Stuttgart will face a daunting challenge when they visit the home of the newly crowned German champions Bayern Munich on Sunday, with this survival hanging in the balance. Bayern have already won the Bundesliga and have very little to play for. Meanwhile, Stuttgart are fighting to stay afloat in the German top flight.
Bayern Munich sealed their 10th successive Bundesliga title in perfect style. They defeated arch-rivals and title contenders Borussia Dortmund in Germany’s biggest fixture Der Klassiker at the Allianz Arena a week ago. However, the newly crowned champions seem to be suffering from a hangover as Mainz 05 spoiled their party with the Bavarians paying a visit to them last weekend.
Bayern Munich couldn’t match their usual intensity and also lacked enough pace. They were thoroughly outclassed by Mainz who have had their fair share of struggles recently. Although Robert Lewandowski found the back of the net in the Bundesliga for the 34th time this season, Julian Nagelsmann’s men continued to struggle to cope with the intensity and got caught on the counter repeatedly by the hosts. The 3-1 scoreline might suggest Mainz’s dominance in that clash but Bayern Munich were extremely fortunate that it didn’t get any worse.
Nagelsmann, who recently became one of the youngest permanent coaches to win the Bundesliga crown, will be looking for a reply befitting of the German champions from his players in what will be their final home game this season. Although the hosts have nothing much to play for in the remainder of the season, Bayern Munich have never been one to throw in the towel.
Bayern Munich have suffered six losses this season, which is more than in each of their last six league wins. Their primary concern will be to ensure that the streak is not extended at the Allianz Arena this weekend. Instead, Bayern Munich will turn their focus towards getting another 100-goal season. The Bavarians are currently on 93 and have two more matches remaining to touch the glorious three-figure mark, including the visit of VfB Stuttgart on Sunday.
Bayern have an excellent record against the relegation-threatened side. They have won 35 matches against them while Stuttgart have just nine wins to their name. Four encounters have ended in stalemates between the two sides.
It is pretty clear that Stuttgart are not chasing any kind of record or monumental goal tally when they take to the field against the newly crowned German champions Bayern Munich on Sunday. Instead, the visitors are holding on to dear lives at the other end of the Bundesliga table. They currently find themselves in the relegation playoff spot in 16th.
Stuttgart are four points away from Hertha Berlin’s 15th spot on the league table which will ensure them safety. The only bright side for them is that they have a game in hand. However, things continue to look bleak for them heading into the final few matches of the season. Not only do they have to pull off an upset against the most challenging side in the league, but they will also have to depend on Hertha Berlin dropping points in their remaining fixtures to have any chance of remaining up.
On the other hand, just two points separate Die Roten from Arminia Bielefeld who are in the automatic drop zone. Stuttgart will be glad that Arminia lost their match against VfL Bochum 2-1 and that the gap continues to remain two for the moment. They will be desperate to get a positive result at the Allianz Arena which will prove to be necessary in their fight for survival.
Stuttgart had previously lifted themselves away from the immediate relegation zone thanks to an impressive run where they had gathered seven points from a possible nine at the beginning of March. However, as things stand right now, the visitors are currently on a run of five games without a win.
Pellegrino Matarazzo’s men have also found the back of the net in just two matches during this winless streak. Goals have dried up in what is the most crucial stage of the season so far, which leaves them in real danger of dropping to the second division in Germany. Stuttgart have a goal difference of -19 which is the fourth worst in the league this season.
VfB Stuttgart will also endure a tough fixture at home against FC Koln who are striving for a place in the top four on the final day of the campaign next weekend. Their backs are to the wall as far as their bid to stay afloat in the Bundesliga is concerned. While, on paper, a win against Bayern Munich will do them a world of favour as well as boost their morale, it alone can’t save them from the drop.
FCB vs STU, Bundesliga 2021/22
Date: 8th May, 2022
Time: 9:00 PM IST
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
FORM GUIDE:
Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:
- W-W-W-W-W-L
Bayern Munich form (all competitions):
- L-W-D-W-W-L
VfB Stuttgart Bundesliga form:
- W-D-L-D-L-D
VfB Stuttgart from (all competitions):
- W-D-L-D-L-D
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Bayern Munich wins: 35
Draws: 4
VfB Stuttgart wins: 9
TEAM NEWS:
Bayern Munich Team News: Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann could welcome back first team regulars Thomas Muller and Kingsley Coman to the starting XI after the pair missed the clash against Mainz 05 the last time out.
Benjamin Pavard’s availability remains a doubt due to a persistent knee problem he has been suffering from in training all week. Meanwhile, Dayot Upamecano could end up being absent once again after he inexplicably missed the previous fixture against Mainz due to personal reasons.
Bouna Sarr has been ruled out with a knee injury for the remainder of the season. Besides this, Julian Nagelsmann has little in the way of fresh injury concerns to deal with.
First-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made way for Sven Ulreich against Mainza in the previous game. However, he should return between the posts in Bayern Munich’s final home match at the Allianz Arena after yet another title-winning campaign.
VfB Stuttgart Team News: As far as the visitors are concerned, they will be without several key players who are out with long term injuries. It has been season disrupted by several injuries for VfB Stuttgart as Nikolas Nartey, Mohamed Sankoh, Silas Katompa Mvumpa, Naouirou Ahamada, Clinton Mola and Pascal Stenzel are all ruled out for the trip to the Allianz Arena.
Despite facing a stern challenge to match up to Bayern Munich, Matarazzo could stick with their exciting frontline of Tiago Tomas, Sasa Kalajdzic and Omar Marmoush on Sunday.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Stanisic, Sule, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Tolisso; Gnabry, Muller, Coman; Lewandowski
VfB Stuttgart possible starting lineup:
Muller; Mavropanos, Anton, Ito; Fuhrich, Endo, Karazor, Sosa; Tomas, Kalajdzic, Marmoush
Predictions:
After seeing Bayern Munich suffer from hangovers following their title-winning party celebrations in the previous match against Mainz 05, there might be some hope for Stuttgart to get a positive result here. With that being said, the Bavarians are known for their resilience and will be expected to bounce back in style in this game, especially since this is the last match in front of their home supporters this season.
Stuttgart must be bold and try to come out and earn a result. Even if it means that they will be more prone to attacks from the prolific Bayern frontline, they cannot play it safe since their chances of survival no longer depend on their own hands. Stuttgart will have to take the risks here and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bayern Munich hand them a thumping defeat.
