We are far from the recital. The victory is not a controlled game, as the score (1-2) suggests. But at least Bayern Munich is reassured. This Saturday evening, the Bavarians moved on the lawn of VfB Stuttgart as part of the 23rd day. Four days before receiving Paris SG in the knockout stages of the Champions League, the defending champions won thanks to goals from De Ligt and Choupo-Moting.
This victory did not bring a lot of guarantees on the team’s ability to raise its level of play. The victory at the Parc des Princes (0-1) two weeks ago was celebrated with moderation as the Bavarian machine had looked rusty. This Saturday, this observation was verified.
All was not perfect for the first 45 minutes, and De Ligt avoided Stuttgart’s opener in the 37th minute after a hazardous exit from Munich goalkeeper Yann Sommer. After big chances by Jamal Musiala, or by Leon Goretzka, Bayern has just found the fault with its defender. On a long shot, the Dutchman De Ligt took advantage of Bredlow’s error to open the scoring in the fortieth minute, and allow his teammates to return to the locker room with the advantage.
Choupo-Moting scores and gives way to Mané
With a view to the match against PSG, Julian Nagelsmann had left Benjamin Pavard, suspended for the return match of C1, on the bench, and aligned the young Croatian Josip Stanisic, under pressure at the start of the match. In central defense of 4-2-3-1, Dayot Upamecano made his return from suspension after the red in Gladbach two weeks ago.
After the break, Cameroonian international Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting celebrated his contract extension with a goal per hour of play (62nd), before going out for Sadio Mané, who once again played a big half hour. and gradually ramp up.
Subsequently, the reigning tenfold German champions managed their lead, their heads probably already turned towards PSG. The reduction of the score in the 88th minute by Juan Jose Perea, however, revived the suspense a little in added time and underlined certain shortcomings in Munich, particularly in the aerial game.
This success makes it possible to maintain the duel at a distance between the two behemoths of the German championship. Eleven days from the end of the season Bayern and Borussia Dortmund have 49 points each, the Munich players retaining first place on goal difference (+44 against +19). The players of Julian Nagelsmann and Edin Terzic have an appointment in Bavaria in the Bundesliga on Saturday April 1 (6.30 p.m.) for the summit which could decide the future German champion, during the 26th day.