Thanks in particular to goals from French internationals Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise, Bayern beat Stuttgart 5-1 on Friday night at the Allianz Arena, and maintain their good habits in opening the Bundesliga.

In torrential rain for much of the match, making the Munich pitch greasy and slippery, Bayern players began their 15th consecutive Bundesliga season without a loss, a current record streak for the German championship.

The first goal of the season was scored by a centre-back. From a corner taken to the near post by Joshua Kimmich, Dayot Upamecano very slightly deflected it with his head to score his 10th goal for Bayern, all from set pieces (9 of which were from corners).

Under pressure from Stuttgart players during the first quarter of an hour, the Munich team regained control of the match afterwards.

The 1-0 scoreline at halftime could have been more severe for Stuttgart, were it not for the numerous saves by goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow: in the 26th minute against Luis Diaz, twelve minutes later against Nathaniel Brown, or with a fingertip save to deny Kimmich a direct corner just before the halftime break.

- Saibari with two assists -

Caught off guard after the break by a Josha Vagnoman half-volley (52nd minute), Manuel Neuer's teammates (Neuer was playing his 600th match for Bayern) only had to worry for three minutes. Michael Olise, thanks to a Kimmich pass, gave Bredlow no chance to restore his team's lead.

The French international had already scored and provided an assist last week during Munich's victory in Dortmund against Borussia (2-1) in the German Super Cup.

Kimmich was again involved in Bayern's third goal, quickly taking a free-kick for Alphonso Davies, who was found in the Swabian penalty area. From a harmless low cross, Vagnoman slipped while attempting to clear and scored an own goal (58th minute).

Watched by new Germany manager Jürgen Klopp, Aleksandar Pavlovic (82nd minute) and Luis Diaz (90+2) further cemented Bayern Munich's victory. Both assists were provided by Moroccan international Ismael Saibari, who came on in the 61st minute and is one of Bayern's two summer signings, along with Brown.

Bayern, who have not left the top spot in the Bundesliga since the 3rd matchday of the 2024/25 season on September 14, 2024, i.e. 66 consecutive matches, will have to wait for the results of Saturday and Sunday to know if they will take their place in the top spot on the evening of the 1st matchday of the 2026/27 season.

AFP