Bayern, once again led by double packer Harry Kane, were able to enjoy the Christmas lights show after their top game statement after the last home game of the year.
Even when badly decimated, the German series champions did not let leaders Bayer Leverkusen escape. The Munich team dominated the high-flying VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga at 3-0 (1-0) even without the sick national players Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka – from the first to the last minute of the game.
“It was probably our best performance of the season,” said Kane on the streaming service DAZN: “We really had good intensity. We showed how dominant we can be in a big game.” The Englishman was once again the match winner. After the mini lull of three competitive games without scoring his own goal, the 30-year-old scored his goals of the season 19 and 20 in the 2nd and 55th minutes. “It’s nice when I can help the team with my goals,” said Kane. In addition to the outstanding center forward, the also strong South Korean Minjae Kim scored for the first time in a Bayern jersey (63′).
Hoeneß: “Disappointed with our performance”
Bayern patron Uli Hoeneß also cheered and rejoiced in the stands at the Allianz Arena. VfB, coached by his nephew Sebastian Hoeneß, never came close to the top level shown last in front of 75,000 spectators. “It was a used evening. It annoys us that this happened against Bayern Munich. We are disappointed with our performance,” said Sebastian Hoeneß. The Swabians are not yet a contender for the title. The Munich goals came far too easily. And nothing went forward either. There were no clear chances to score in 90 minutes, Manuel Neuer had a pleasant evening in the Bayern goal.
Leverkusen’s lead over their pursuers FC Bayern had grown to seven points before the start of the game. Bayer had won 3-0 against Frankfurt before kick-off in Munich. So against exactly the Eintracht against whom Bayern had received a heavy 1:5 defeat a week earlier. But against VfB, Kane and Co. were there again.
“That was anything but a given,” said coach Thomas Tuchel, who was completely satisfied. His emergency double-six solution for Kimmich and Goretzka was Raphael Guerreiro and youngster Aleksandar Pavlović. She opened. Homegrown player Pavlović carried out his responsible task in front of the defense very well. He also kicked the free kick to make it 2-0 and the corner to make it 3-0.
In a 4-2-2-2 formation, Tuchel cleverly condensed the center of the midfield with Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané moving inwards. Musiala in particular worked intensively defensively and delighted with clever offensive passes and tricks on the ball.
Dream start for Bavaria
Of course, the dream start to the game in the last home game of the year was helpful for Munich. After Atakan Karazor lost the ball, Müller substituted the starting Sané. The national player beat Alexander Nübel, who was on loan from FC Bayern to VfB, as he ran out of his goal and then fed Kane. The Englishman was able to push the ball in easily. The early lead gave the rebuilt Bayern team security. “It started very badly,” commented Sebastian Hoeneß. “I have to say, that was one of the worst games,” said VfB goalkeeper Nübel on Sat.1. “We weren’t brave and didn’t get into the duels, the remaining defense was sloppy.”
The early goal conceded was a real impact for the guests. Top striker Serhou Guirassy (16 goals this season) was signed off from the Bayern defense. It was thanks to Nübel, who looked bad at 0-1, that they stayed in the game at least until Kane’s second goal. Nübel parried strongly against Sané and Kane. And the video assistant conceded two goals from Kim (25th) and Müller (45th 2) for offside.
Even after the break there was only one top team in the top game – Bayern. They worked collectively against the ball – and repeatedly put Stuttgart in trouble with the ball. The VfB defense was unable to act against the Munich standards.
