FC Bayern had a fantastic day on Friday. © APA/afp / ALEXANDRA BEIER

Against Stuttgart: Bayern's dream start with magician Olise

In front of the eyes of the new national coach Jürgen Klopp, double winner FC Bayern Munich, led by the outstanding Michael Olise, immediately made a powerful statement in the opening game of the 64th Bundesliga season.

August 28, 2026

From: dpa

In an intense southern derby against VfB Stuttgart, the championship team of coach Vincent Kompany made a clear difference in quality, especially after the break, winning 5:1 (1:0).

The game unfolded similarly to the DFB Cup final three months ago, when Stuttgart put up a strong fight for much of the match but ultimately succumbed 3-0 in Berlin. Bayern Munich thus extended their unbeaten run of 15 opening matches, a week after their 2-1 Supercup victory against Borussia Dortmund. Last season, Bayern had made a sensational start with a 6-0 win against RB Leipzig.

Neuer's 600th competitive match for Bayern

In front of 75.000 spectators at the sold-out Allianz Arena in Munich, the match began hectically. Dayot Upamecano (21st minute) then gave Bayern the lead after a corner against a stubborn Stuttgart side. Out of nowhere, the later unfortunate Josha Vagnoman (52nd minute) brought the Swabians back into the game. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, in his 600th competitive appearance for FC Bayern, made an excellent save against Jeff Chabot, but was powerless to stop the rebound.

Manuel Neuer celebrated a remarkable milestone. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

Bayern weren't having any of it. Olise (55th minute), after a brilliant pass from Kimmich, and Vagnoman's own goal (58th minute) restored the true balance of power on the pitch. The VfB defender was unlucky when he slipped on the waterlogged turf while attempting a harmless cross from Alphonso Davies. The video assistant referee then disallowed another goal by Olise (63rd minute) for offside. However, Aleksandar Pavlovic (82nd minute) and Luis Díaz (90+2) added two more goals, both assisted by new signing Ismael Saibari, to make it 4-1 and 5-1 respectively.

Klopp is observing "several candidates"

Before the action on the pitch began, the "Footballers of the Year" were honored. It was a Bayern Munich hat trick of Giulia Gwinn, Vincent Kompany, and Harry Kane. It doesn't get more Munich than that.
With the match kicking off at 8:32 p.m., Klopp was able to assess "several candidates" for his first German national team squad. Among them is Stuttgart's new striker Dzenan Pejcinovic, whom the national coach plans to meet with in Stuttgart on Monday, as he revealed on the TV channel Sat.1.

Jürgen Klopp watched the match. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

What Klopp also witnessed was a heated match, in which Stuttgart, especially in the first half, employed a physically demanding approach: man-marking the Bayern stars. For example, defender Jeff Chabot tracked striker Kane all over the pitch. New VfB captain Deniz Undav was clearly feeling the strain in his duel with German national team captain Joshua Kimmich.

Olise to the outer post

It was a plan devised by coach Sebastian Hoeneß, which his players executed with conviction. Initially, they put Bayern Munich under pressure and kept them away from their own goal. The Champions League participants from Swabia should even have struck themselves at that point. However, Tiago Tomas (12th minute) only managed to hit the crossbar from close range.

Olise was the central figure in Bayern's attack. © APA/afp / ALEXANDRA BEIER

Hoeneß's approach sent his players' hearts racing. This came at the expense of their own calm finishing in attack. And spaces opened up. Michael Olise (17th minute) was unlucky when his fine free kick hit the outside of the post. However, the subsequent set piece by Upamecano brought the opening goal. After a corner from Kimmich, Vagnoman couldn't keep up.

Bredlow vs. Bayern

From the 25th minute onwards, the opening match became a private duel between Bayern and goalkeeper Bredlow. The substitute for Dennis Seimen had to make saves against Luis Diaz (26th minute), Nathaniel Brown (38th minute), and Konrad Laimer (42nd minute).

Klopp had hoped for "a good game and lots of goals." His second wish was granted after halftime, when Stuttgart, although they never gave up, couldn't stop the dominant Bayern.

Bundesliga, Friday

Bayern Munich – VfB Stuttgart 5-1
Goals: 1:0 Upamecano (21'), 1:1 Vagnoman (52'), 2:1 Olise (55'), 3:1 Vagnoman own goal (57'), 4:1 Pavlovic (82'), 5:1 Diaz (90+2')