It could have been so different. Four days prior to the decisive Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, FC Bayern lost the top of the table showdown between the Bundesliga's second and third-placed teams, falling 3-1 away to VfB Stuttgart.
However, the result doesn't accurately reflect Bayern's performance. In the second half in particular, Bayern had better chances to go 2-1 ahead than their opponents when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (48') and Harry Kane (69') came close to scoring. In the end, however, it was the hosts that celebrated. Former Bayern player Wooyeong Jeong (83') and Silas (90+3') scored the late goals to secure victory for Stuttgart after Leonidas Stergiou (29') and Harry Kane (37', penalty) had opened the scoring in the first half.
Bayern with Mathys Tel were downed by two late goals in Stuttgart and came away empty handed
“We could have turned the game around when Choupo and Harry had chances. In the end, we didn't score and Stuttgart did,” summarised Serge Gnabry, who had been fouled for Kane's penalty. Head coach Thomas Tuchel added: “This was completely unnecessary. In the second half, we had the chances to score and conceded the goals just before the end due to lack of concentration.”
Flick the switch
Even if this defeat was aggravating and avoidable, it will be crucial now to move on quickly and, if possible, start doing so on the bus ride home to Munich, as Tuchel said during the post-match press conference: “If there's ever been a game I want to move on from quickly it's this one,” the coach said. On Wednesday evening, the highlight of the season so far awaits for Bayern, who are hoping to progress to the Champions League final with a win at Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
„We know the quality we have. If we can finish our attacking moves, we will create chances. We just have to use them.”
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Board Member for Sport Max Eberl reminded his audience of the quarter-final clash against Arsenal when Bayern followed up a 3-2 defeat to Heidenheim with a strong performance and a 2-2 draw in London. “Today's game won't have any impact on our confidence. We already showed against Arsenal how quickly we can flick the switch.”
Champions League mode on!
Now, Bayern are totally focusing on Real Madrid. “The next four days count. We're going to flick the switch immediately now. We need to give the same kind of performance we did last Tuesday and use our opportunities,” Tuchel announced, outlining Bayern's approach for Wednesday.
Board member for sport Max Eberl after Stuttgart and before Real Madrid: "We want to win, no matter how!“
Chances in the game and a chance to go to Wembley
Serge Gnabry also mentioned efficiency as a key point for Bayern's game against the Madrid giants: “Against Real, we have to take our chances. We played very well in the first leg but we should have scored one or two more goals. That's going to be very important on Wednesday.”
Harry Kane and Leon Goretzka salute the fans after the final whistle
In the Spanish capital, Munich will be able to rely on the backing of many travelling fans. Immediately after the final whistle in Stuttgart, the Bayern supporters voiced their support for their heroes and made one thing crystal clear: Only Madrid counts now and all strengths will be pooled and mobilised to achieve Bayern's great goal.
Or, as Max Eberl put it: “We want to win, no matter how!” Onwards we march to Madrid. Let's go!
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