Bayern Munich began their Bundesliga title defence with a dominant 5-1 win over Stuttgart at home on Saturday.
Michael Olise and Luis Diaz were among the five scorers as the defending champions made a strong start to the new league season.
Bayern controlled most of the match despite the wet conditions in Munich. The game was also a repeat of last season’s German Cup final.
Dayot Upamecano gave Bayern the lead in the 21st minute. He rose high to meet a Joshua Kimmich corner and headed the ball into the net.
Both teams had threatened before the opening goal. Stuttgart’s Tiago Tomas and Bayern’s Olise both hit the woodwork early in the game.
Stuttgart found their way back into the contest after the break. Josha Vagnoman scored from a rebound to make it 1-1.
However, Bayern responded quickly.
Kimmich created the opening for Olise, who finished from close range to put Bayern back in front.
Things got worse for Vagnoman just three minutes later. He slipped while trying to clear a low cross from Alphonso Davies and sent the ball into his own net.
Olise thought he had scored again six minutes later. Harry Kane played him through and the Frenchman found the net, but the goal was ruled out for a narrow offside.
Bayern remained in control.
Bundesliga debutant Ismael Saibari later set up Aleksandar Pavlovic for another goal. Diaz then scored in stoppage time to complete the 5-1 victory.
Olise was one of Bayern’s standout players on the night.
Bayern defender Konrad Laimer praised the French midfielder’s ability to make quick decisions.
“He relies heavily on intuition, reacting before the opponent does,” Laimer said.
He also praised Olise’s quality in one on one situations and his ability to decide when to pass, dribble or shoot.
Harry Kane had a quieter evening. The striker had previously scored 14 goals against Stuttgart, including three hattricks, more than against any other German opponent. Bayern substituted him late in the second half.
The victory also extended Bayern’s unbeaten run in Bundesliga opening matches to 15 seasons.
Bayern are also expected to remain at the top of the table after the opening round. They have held that position across 67 matchdays dating back to September 2024.
Bayern lost only one of their 40 domestic matches last season. However, coach Vincent Kompany does not want his players to lose their hunger.
“Everything starts again from zero,” Kompany said.
He added that he wants to make sure every player understands that message.
Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness also revealed that his team had to deal with an unusual problem at half time.
A power outage left the dressing room without lights.
“The lights were out,” Hoeness said, although he added that the players could still see each other.
Hoeness admitted Stuttgart must improve after the heavy defeat.
Before the match, Germany coach Jurgen Klopp also spoke about Jamal Musiala’s recovery.
Klopp said he had told the Bayern midfielder that “the door is open for you” as Musiala continues his return from a neurological condition. Musiala had collapsed twice during preseason fixtures.
Kompany made two changes from the Bayern side that beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Supercup. Upamecano was among those brought into the starting team.
The defender rewarded that decision with the opening goal before Bayern took full control in the second half.
The 5-1 victory gave the defending champions an ideal start as they began another Bundesliga title defence.
