Ulreich's last-gasp penalty save denies Stuttgart
Bayern Munich secured a narrow victory over Stuttgart at Mercedes-Benz Arena, thanks to Sven Ulreich saving a stoppage-time penalty.
Sven Ulreich returned to haunt his former club Stuttgart as his stoppage-time penalty save secured Bayern Munich a hard-fought 1-0 win over Stuttgart.
Ulreich, who was returning from injury, kept out Chadrac Akolo's spot-kick after the video assistant referee had awarded a foul by substitute Niklas Sule on Santiago Ascacibar in a frantic finish to the fixture.
The late miss meant a 79th-minute strike from Thomas Muller, who was sent on in the second half, settled the game after Bayern had struggled to find a way past home goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler at Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Zieler produced a string of eye-catching saves as Bayern looked in danger of failing to find the net for the first time in all competitions since a 2-0 league defeat to Hoffenheim way back on 10 September (AEDT).
However, super-sub Muller, who was introduced with 25 minutes remaining, converted Kingsley Coman's pass inside the area to secure the reigning champion a fifth straight win in December.
With nearest rival Schalke only able to draw at Eintracht Frankfurt, plus RB Leipzig not in action until Monday (AEDT), Jupp Heynckes's runaway leader extended its cushion at the summit to 11 points in its final match before the mid-season break.
