The National Times - Bayern steamroll Stuttgart in Bundesliga opener

Bayern steamroll Stuttgart in Bundesliga opener


Bayern steamroll Stuttgart in Bundesliga opener
Bayern steamroll Stuttgart in Bundesliga opener / Photo: © AFP

Michael Olise and Luis Diaz were among five different goalscorers as Bayern Munich cruised to a 5-1 home win over Stuttgart in Friday's Bundesliga opener.

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Defending Bundesliga champions Bayern were in control from start to finish in a rematch of last season's German Cup final, with Olise in spectacular form despite the wet conditions.

Dayot Upamecano headed the hosts in front from a corner and while Josha Vagnoman levelled things up for Stuttgart after the break, Bayern scored twice in three minutes through Olise and a Vagnomann own goal to restore control.

Bundesliga debutant Ismael Saibari created a late goal for Aleksandar Pavlovic and Diaz scored in stoppage time to extend Bayern's unbeaten run in league openers to 15 seasons.

With 14 goals including three hat-tricks, Harry Kane had scored against Stuttgart more than any other German opponent but had a quiet night and was subbed out late in the second-half.

Before the match, Germany coach Jurgen Klopp told Sky he had told Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala "the door is open for you" as he continues to return from a neurological condition from which he collapsed twice in pre-season fixtures.

Vincent Kompany made two changes to the side which won 2-1 at Borussia Dortmund in the Supercup, including returning France centre-back Upamecano to the starting XI.

Both sides started well despite the teeming rain, with Stuttgart's Tiago Tomas and Olise hitting the woodwork early.

Upamecano put Bayern in front in simple fashion with 21 minutes gone, leaping high to glance in a Kimmich corner.

Early in the second-half, Stuttgart looked to have got themselves back in the match when Vagnoman blasted in a rebound, but Bayern quickly reclaimed the initiative.

Olise converted an expert Kimmich pass from close range just three minutes before Vagnoman scored at the other end of the pitch, slipping when trying to clear a low Alphonso Davies cross.

Olise had the ball in the net again just six minutes later when he turned in a clever Kane through ball, but his goal was chalked off for a narrow offside.

Saibari cut back for Pavlovic to score late and Diaz added another in stoppage time to round out a comprehensive win.

D.Cook--TNT

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