Following a midweek DFB-pokal victory, Bayern Munich returns to Bundesliga action Saturday against VfB Stuttgart at the MHP Arena. [[1]] The match offers Bayern, currently second in the league table, an opportunity to build momentum as the season approaches its winter break. Stuttgart will be looking to capitalize on home-field advantage and challenge the reigning champions after a narrow defeat to Bayern in the Supercup earlier this season.
Location: MHP Arena, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Kickoff: 3:30 PM Local time | 9:30 AM EST | 6:30 AM PST
Bayern Munich advanced to the next round of the DFB-Pokal with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Union Berlin. Now, the Bundesliga giants prepare for another road test, traveling west to face VfB Stuttgart as the German season nears its midpoint.
Bayern previously met Stuttgart in August, claiming a 2-1 win in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. However, both teams have evolved significantly since that encounter, setting the stage for a potentially different outcome this time around. This match offers Stuttgart a chance to avenge that earlier defeat and prove their mettle against the reigning champions.
Midfielder Aleksandar Pavlović was substituted early in the second half against Union Berlin, but has indicated the issue is not serious. Assuming he’s fully fit, Bayern is expected to field a familiar starting lineup.
Manager Thomas Tuchel is likely to stick with the squad that secured the win against Union, with Serge Gnabry potentially replacing Lennart Karl in the attack. Gnabry was reportedly under the weather leading up to the Union match and started on the bench, but could be in line for a starting role. Tom Bischof is also an option in midfield should Pavlović require a rest. Hiroki Itō, continuing his return from injury, is a strong candidate to see minutes at left-back during the second half.
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