Bayern kick off Bundesliga title defence in style | OneFootball

Bayern Munich got off to a flying start in the new Bundesliga season. The German champions hosted Stuttgart and ran out 5-1 winners in a match that was closely contested in the first half before Bayern pulled away after the break.

Vincent Kompany's side needed just over 20 minutes to find the breakthrough. Joshua Kimmich delivered a pinpoint corner to the near post, where Dayot Upamecano escaped his marker and headed home to open the scoring.

Stuttgart refused to be overawed and returned from half-time determined to make a game of it. In the 52nd minute, the visitors drew level when Josha Vagnoman picked up the ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful strike into the Bayern net.

Bayern's response was almost immediate, with Michael Olise the key figure. Just three minutes after the equaliser, Kimmich was involved again in the build-up and found the Frenchman inside the area. Olise controlled the ball and finished low to put Bayern back in front.

The third goal followed soon after. Alphonso Davies sent in a dangerous cross and Josha Vagnoman, who had been Stuttgart's hero moments earlier, became the unfortunate man of the night. In trying to clear the ball, the defender turned it into his own net, giving Bayern a two-goal cushion.

With Stuttgart no longer able to match Bayern's intensity, the champions made the most of the space to extend the lead. In the 82nd minute, Ismael Saibari set up Aleksandar Pavlovic for 4-1 and, in stoppage time, Saibari was decisive again, assisting Luis Díaz to complete the 5-1 rout.

Bayern therefore begin their title defence in commanding fashion, having already lifted the Supercup against Borussia Dortmund.