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Bayern's Matthijs de Ligt was important for Munich at the back and front
Photo:
Christian Kaspar-Bartke / Getty Images
FC Bayern also ended the 23rd matchday at the top of the Bundesliga.
The record champions won 2-1 (1-0) at VfB Stuttgart with goals from Matthijs de Ligt (39th minute) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (62nd), Juan José Perea only scored to connect (88th).
The Munich team was once again ahead of Borussia Dortmund after BVB, who were tied on points, had beaten Leipzig on Friday evening.
Left-back Borna Sosa was suspended for the Stuttgart team, and Dan-Axel Zagadou replaced the Croatian in Bruno Labbadia's starting line-up.
And the newly formed defense had a lot to do right away: Joshua Kimmich's long-range shot was repelled by Fabian Bredlow with difficulty (12'), a remarkable solo by Jamal Musiala in the penalty area stopped the Stuttgart defense with combined forces (13').
The game remained fast-paced, Stuttgart didn't hide and started pressing early, Hiroki Ito just missed the goal with a successful long-range shot (25').
Bayern still had the better chances: Bredlow saved with a brilliant save against a header from Leon Goretzka, who had aimed a cross from Kingsley Coman from close range (21').
de Ligt twice as good
Then de Ligt's hour struck: first the Dutchman saved centimeters from the line against a header by Konstantinos Mavropanos (37th), then de Ligt overcame the hitherto flawless Bredlow with a concealed long-range shot, who was not entirely innocent of this goal ( 40.).
After Silas narrowly missed a chance to equalize for VfB (43'), the entertaining game went into the break.
It took a little longer for the game to come out of this: the Bayern fans who had traveled with them had ignited large quantities of pyrotechnics in the guest block, and the Stuttgarters also kept setting off fireworks.
A few minutes passed before referee Christian Dingert continued the game.
Then only Coman had a good chance to score the second goal (53') after losing the ball to Stuttgart, but missed.
Choupo-Moting, who had extended his contract in Munich by a year until 2024 the day before, did better: Musiala and Thomas Müller got the ball to the Bayern center forward, who confidently put it in from seven meters (62nd).
Perea's header came too late (88'), even though Stuttgart pushed for an equalizer in the final minutes.
At the bottom of the table, the goal difference currently decides which team is on course for relegation or staying up: Stuttgart, TSG Hoffenheim, Schalke 04 and VfL Bochum are tied on points from 15th to 18th place.
Next Saturday VfB is going to Eintracht in Frankfurt.
FC Bayern have the Champions League second leg against Paris Saint-Germain in front of their chests on Wednesday before they play FC Augsburg at home on Saturday.
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