Jamal Musiala was impressive, but Matthijs de Ligt cost Bayern Munich two points against VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.
Bayern Munich dominated the proceedings for much of the first half, and VfB Stuttgart defended resolutely for the most part. The visitors also looked to hit the defending Bundesliga champions on the counter, looking dangerous in a couple of instances. But Bayern deservedly went ahead in the 36th minute after troubling Florian Muller on a few occasions.
The Stuttgart goalkeeper had no reply for Mathys Tel’s close-range strike after Alphonso Davies set up the history maker with a superb run and cut-back. But Stuttgart took the game to Bayern after the break and seemed to have levelled the score a few minutes into the second half before eventually scoring the equaliser in the 57th minute.
The visitors capitalised on a loose ball from Davies before Konstantinos Mavropanos delivered the ball on a plate for Chris Fuhrich. But Bayern quickly hit back to grab the lead at the hour mark through Jamal Musiala, whose delightful turn and shot caught Florian Muller unaware.
However, Bayern took the foot off the pedal instead of going for the kill after that, with the VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper making only one notable save in the final half an hour. And with the visitors pushing for the second equaliser, Bayern started making mistakes, with Serhou Guirassy looking the likeliest to score the next goal.
We have to settle for a draw.
?⚪ #FCBVfB 2-2 (FT) pic.twitter.com/e8GfDxVNXP
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) September 10, 2022
The summer signing brought Stuttgart back on level terms deep into injury time after Matthijs de Ligt brought him down in the box with a stamp. Bayern Munich barely had any time to score after that, thus dropping points for a third successive Bundesliga game. But with SC Freiburg playing on Sunday and Borussia Dortmund losing to RB Leipzig, the champions are back on top of the table. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Julian Nagelsmann’s men.
Manuel Neuer: 6/10
Neuer will be frustrated after failing to keep another clean sheet through no fault of his own. The Bayern Munich captain had no chance of stopping either Stuttgart goal, with Chris Fuhrich scoring from close range and Serhou Guirassy netting a penalty. Otherwise, Neuer barely had anything to do at the back.
Noussair Mazraoui: 7/10
Mazraoui started ahead of Benjamin Pavard as Bayern Munich’s right-back, and he was in his element on Saturday. The Moroccan international had Stuttgart on the ropes on his flank with his constant forays on the right-hand side. He also grabbed the assist for Jamal Musiala’s goal before making way for Josip Stanisic.
Dayot Upamecano: 6.5/10
Upamecano started ahead of Lucas Hernandez at the heart of the Bayern Munich defence. And the French centre-back made a few crucial interventions in the face of Stuttgart’s resistance. He also completed most of his attempted passes (93 per cent to be precise) and opened play with a few delightful long balls. A solid return to the team.
Matthijs de Ligt: 5/10
Third Bundesliga game in a row that Bayern Munich have drawn VfB Stuttgart deserved that,they showed immense character, kept fighting right until the end. Serhou Guirassy was excellent he really bullied Matthijs de Ligt all game long. Bayern’s worst Bundesliga start since 2010/11
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) September 10, 2022
Matthijs de Ligt barely put a foot wrong for much of his outing on Saturday, as he marshalled the backline effortlessly while precisely playing out from the back. But the Dutch defender cost Bayern Munich two points when he stamped on Guirassy’s foot to concede the late penalty, which was enough to ensure a share of the spoils.
Alphonso Davies: 6.5/10
Davies was a high-flying full-back on the left-back, and he looked untouchable at times. On one such occasion, the young Canadian ran through his side before cutting the ball in for Mathys Tel for the opener. He continued to push Bayern forward whenever he saw the ball, but he gave away the possession in the build-up to Fuhrich’s strike early in the second half.
Leon Goretzka: 7/10
Goretzka replaced Marcel Sabitzer in the middle of the park, and he struck an immediate connection with Joshua Kimmich. The German international constantly looked to push Bayern forward, and although there were a few signs of rust, he grew into the game as the minutes wore on and should soon be at his best.
Joshua Kimmich: 7/10
There is rarely an occasion when Kimmich does not run the show for Bayern Munich, and this was not one of those days. The German international barely misplaced a pass and opened play nicely with a few long balls. He also came close to scoring with a free-kick and protected Bayern’s backline resolutely. But there were some sloppy moments, which is why he only gets a 7.
Mathys Tel: 7/10
1⃣7⃣ years, 1⃣3⃣6⃣ days.
The moment Mathys Tel became @FCBayernEN's youngest-EVER #Bundesliga scorer! ❤️#FCBVfB | #MD6 | #Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/6csj5m8dZE
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) September 10, 2022
Mathys Tel has been making history every time he has taken to the pitch thus far this season, and he enjoyed another momentous evening. The teenage prodigy, who looked dangerous when he cut into the central areas, became Bayern Munich’s youngest goalscorer in the Bundesliga. His outing ended after the hour mark, but there were many positives from the outing.
Jamal Musiala: 7/10
Musiala is the boy wonder for Bayern Munich, and he continues to go from strength to strength at the Allianz Arena. The German international was constantly in the thick of the action and played a couple of key passes. But the standout moment for Musiala was his goal, as he shimmied onto his left foot before producing a precise strike.
Six goals in eight games for Jamal Musiala already this season.
Hard to believe he’s still only 19 ? pic.twitter.com/fpQ1FbrxXx
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 10, 2022
Serge Gnabry: 7/10
Gnabry started on the left flank and linked up marvellously with Davies. And the German attacker should consider himself unlucky to have not been on the scoresheet on Saturday, with Florian Muller denying him twice with top-notch saves. On another day, he could have scored at least once.
Thomas Muller: 6.5/10
Muller reprised the “false nine” role for Bayern Munich in Sadio Mane’s absence, and the German international essayed it to perfection for much of the game. The veteran playmaker circulated the possession smartly and allowed his teammates to overload the Stuttgart box. He had done all that he could to keep Bayern ahead before going off.
SUBSTITUTES
Josip Stanisic: 6/10
Stanisic came on for Mazraoui just after the hour mark, but his predecessor showed far better quality in the final third. While the Croat barely lost the ball and completed all but two passes, he should have done more with his end product.
Leroy Sane: 6/10
Sane was the form player for Bayern Munich this week, but he did not show enough quality to trouble Stuttgart. While the German international created a couple of half chances, his end product could have been better.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: 6/10
Choupo-Moting looked to bring his teammates into the play with his movement and hold-up play. The experienced striker also completed all his attempted passes while never losing possession. Alas, that was not enough to see Bayern Munich through.
Sadio Mane: N/A
Mane came on for the injured Musiala but barely saw the ball in the game’s dying embers.
Ryan Gravenberch: N/A
Gravenberch did not see much of the ball after replacing Gnabry for the final ten minutes.
