Bayern Munich 5-1 Stuttgart: Bundesliga champions launch title defence in rampant fashion

Bayern Munich made a winning start to their Bundesliga title defence with a statement 5-1 victory over Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena.

Vincent Kompany's side were pegged back early in the second half, as Dayot Upamecano's first-half header was cancelled out by Josha Vagnoman.

However, strikes from Michael Olise and Aleksandar Pavlovic sandwiched a Vagnoman own-goal, while Luis Diaz was also on target late on to seal a commanding win.

Olise clipped the outside of the post with a well-struck 25-yard free-kick before Bayern broke through on 21 minutes, with Upamecano glancing home Joshua Kimmich's corner.

Fabian Bredlow made smart saves to deny Luis Diaz and Nathaniel Brown before half-time, though Bayern were pegged back in the 52nd minute, as Vagnoman neatly volleyed past Manuel Neuer.

Nevertheless, the hosts quickly back on track with two goals in as many minutes. Olise latched onto Kimmich's throughball and finished to regain the lead, before Vagnoman turned Alphonso Davies' low cross into his own net. 

Olise saw a well-taken finish ruled out for offside following a VAR review in the 64th minute.

Yet Bayern did get their fourth goal on 82 minutes, as substitute Ismael Saibari checked inside a challenge and teed up Pavlovic for a close-range finish.

Saibari was the provider again in the second minute of stoppage time, releasing Diaz on the counter to clinically slot home and put the icing on the cake.

Five-star Bayern make big statement

After scoring a record-breaking 122 goals on the way to the Bundesliga title last term, Bayern were quickly back among the goals in the 2026-27 season opener.

This looked like a tricky opener for Kompany's team, with Stuttgart finishing as the Bundesliga's second-leading scorers behind them last season, while securing a fourth-place finish and Champions League football.

The visitors actually had the first clear chance of this game in the 12th minute. Dzenan Pejcinovic kept a deep cross alive, but Tiago Tomas could only fire over from inside the six-yard box.

That proved costly for Stuttgart, who failed to hit the target during the first half, as they were undone by Kimmich's delicious set-piece delivery, with Upamecano profiting to break the deadlock.

Bredlow did well to keep Bayern at bay for the remainder of the first half. The Stuttgart goalkeeper made five saves throughout the contest and, without his interventions, the hosts could have pulled away a lot earlier.

The Allianz Arena was stunned when the visitors equalised against the run of play, but it merely proved a blip, and they were soon back in control.

Bayern have not lost their Bundesliga opener since 2011, and defeat was never on the cards once two goals in as many minutes put them 3-1 to the good. 

Saibari marked his league debut with a couple of assists later on for Pavlovic and Diaz, though the only regret for Bayern will be that Harry Kane, who is on 98 Bundesliga goals, did not get off the mark for the season.

Stuttgart, meanwhile, must be sick of the sight of Bayern, who also beat them in all four of their meetings last term, including the DFB-Pokal final.