Bundesliga

2 against VfB Stuttgart distorted the relegation battle?

Published

2 weeks ago

May 9, 2022

2 against VfB Stuttgart distorted the relegation battle?

Thanks to the 2-2 win against FC Bayern Munich on the 33rd matchday of the Bundesliga, VfB Stuttgart can practically plan with relegation, even direct relegation is possible again. But should record champions FC Bayern Munich have won the game in order not to influence the relegation battle of the Bundesliga? The pros and cons.

PRO: Bayern just have to play against the table 16 at home. to win

By Martin Volkmar

You can twist and turn it as you like: Bayern’s 2-2 draw against VfB Stuttgart on the 33rd match day of the Bundesliga left a stale aftertaste. Not only with the supporters of the other relegation candidates, but also with the neutral fan.

Because statistically, a home win for the record champions was actually a matter of course given the long-term dominance in the league in general and especially against VfB. Since 2010, Munich have won 21 of 22 competitive games against the Swabians, often high as the goal record of 65:20 shows – about 5:0 in the first half of the season. The former southern rival was recently no longer a real opponent for FCB.

Only in May 2018, on the last day of the season, when Bayern had been champions for a long time, did they concede a 4-1 home slap before handing over the trophy. On Sunday, too, the title win had been certain for weeks and this time, too, the celebration of the championship was almost spoiled by a bankruptcy against the courageous guests.

The decisive difference to 2019: At that time it was only about the Golden Pineapple between Bayern and Stuttgart, this time about the relegation battle. That’s why the VfB rivals had understandably expected a similar clear Bayern success as against the other teams from 15th place, against which the Munich team won all games.

FCB grades: Süle representative with used tag, Lewy harmless

1/17

Before handing over the championship trophy on the 33rd match day of the Bundesliga, FC Bayern Munich only managed to draw 2-2 against VfB Stuttgart. A defender narrowly missed the 6. The grades and individual reviews.

2/17

MANUEL NEUER: Before he knew it, it was already 0:1 after the catastrophic defensive performance of those in front. A little later almost 0:2, Marmoush would have hit the goal. Neuer couldn’t do much. Grade: 3.5.

3/17

BENJAMIN PAVARD: Started very carefully and confidently on the right side of defence, but fell away as the game progressed. Good cross to Müller in the first half, but overall too few useful impulses forward. grade: 4

4/17

TANGUY NIANZOU: Was in the starting XI instead of Niklas Süle to gain match practice. But with such achievements, he is more likely to apply for a loan. Too far away from 0:1, out of the question before 2:2. His very good pass rate doesn’t help either. Rating: 5.5

5/17

DAYOT UPAMECANO: Very focused performance from the central defender who was left alone by his teammates too often. Safe and prudent, very useful game openings and nicely pushed through to Müller in front of 2:1. Note 3.

6/17

ALPHONSO DAVIES: The only non-French player in the starting back four didn’t really help Nianzou in front of the 0-1 either. Defensive as in the last few weeks with weaknesses. Positive: vehement in pressing. grade: 4

7/17

JOSHUA KIMMICH: Bavaria’s clock. In the first half, the Bavarians with the most passes in the first third dropped again and again into the back four after the 2:2 to support Upamecano and Nianzou. Blazing clean performance. Grade: 2.

8/17

LEON GORETZKA: Dropped compared to Kimmich. Played much more inconspicuously than his neighbor, but at least won a few balls in the center. grade: 4

9/17

SERGE GNABRY: After Robert Lewandowski’s pass, he dribbled towards the penalty area at such a high speed that Sosa only straddled into space, then fine to make it 1-1. Also involved in the 2:1 through the penultimate pass. Best offensive player extends his contract! Grade: 2.

10/17

THOMAS MÜLLER: Played with great commitment a few days after his contract was extended and made it 2-1. His 137th Bundesliga goal catapulted him into the top 20 of the all-time Bundesliga goalscorers list. But missed the 3:1. Grade: 2.5.

11/17

KINGSLEY COMAN: Committed, but not enough to goal. Worst pass rate of all Bayern in the starting eleven. Got red just before the end when he lost his nerve and beat Mavropanos. grade: 4

12/17

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI: Clever and unselfish submission to Gnabry in front of 1: 1, but otherwise rather harmless. A bad ball loss in midfield almost made it 2-2 after the break. Another hit later. grade: 4

13/17

NIKLAS SÜLE: Came in for the hapless Nianzou in the 63rd minute and got his last 30 minutes in the Bayern jersey. His last impression will remain a decent one. Grade: 3.5.

14/17

MARC ROCA: Came in for Leon Goretzka in the 72nd minute and was able to get a few minutes of Bundesliga air again. No rating.

15/17

CORENTIN TOLISSO: Came for Pavard, committed performance. No rating.

16/17

MARCEL SABITZER: Came in the final minutes. Still four times on the ball. No rating.

17/17

ERIC MAXIM CHOUPO-MOTING: Came in for Müller just before the end. No rating.

FC Bayern: Far from normal form against VfB Stuttgart

In view of the performance, which was again not worthy of a master, a week after the listless 1: 3 in Mainz, Bayern have to put up with the accusation of having distorted the relegation battle. Especially after the team tour to Ibiza last week. As understandable as the trip and the easing of tension due to the fixed title are: For the opponents of Stuttgart, it came at the absolute wrong time.

With the actually expected Bayern victory, VfB could not have been saved directly, but now Hertha BSC could still slip to the relegation place. Of course, the Berliners are mainly to blame for this, but one can understand the disappointment that the front runner was far from his normal form against the third from last.

FC Bayern: Bundesliga table after the 33rd matchday

Place	team	Sp.	Gates	pt.
1.	Bayern Munich	33	95:35	76
2.	Borussia Dortmund	33	83:51	66
3.	Bayer Leverkusen	33	78:46	61
4.	RB Leipzig	33	71:36	57
5.	Freiburg	33	57:44	55
6.	Union Berlin	33	47:42	54
7.	Cologne	33	51:47	52
8th.	Hoffenheim	33	57:55	46
9.	Mainz 05	33	48:43	45
10	Borussia M’gladbach	33	49:60	42
11.	Bochum	33	36:49	42
12.	Eintracht Frankfurt	33	43:47	41
13.	Wolfsburg	33	41:52	41
14	augsburg	33	37:55	35
15	Hertha BSC	33	36:69	33
16	Stuttgart	33	39:58	30
17	Arminia Bielefeld	33	26:52	27
18	Greuther Fuerth	33	27:80	18