How dangerous cup final opponents Stuttgart are for Bayern

It was a successful Bundesliga season for VfB Stuttgart, too. Yes, they went down to FC Bayern in the Supercup at the start of the season, also lost both league meetings and were somewhat disappointingly knocked out in the round of 16 in the Europa League against FC Porto. However, a strong finish to the campaign saw VfB secure a return to the Champions League after a one-year absence. The current form and the elation after qualifying for Europe’s top club competition make cup holders Stuttgart highly dangerous opponents for Bayern in Saturday’s cup final (20:00 CEST) at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Find out what the German record champions should be prepared for in our opposition profile.

VfB have often not got the result that their performance warranted this season. On the final day at Eintracht Frankfurt, for example, they led 2-0 but in the end had to settle for a 2-2 draw. “We’ve had a very consistent Bundesliga campaign,” reflected head coach Sebastian Hoeneß after the final whistle. “With the close battle for the Champions League places, the pressure was really on in the run-un. I take my hat off to the boys for how they stood up to it.” It was the 21st consecutive away match in which Stuttgart had scored, the first time that’s been achieved in the club’s history. The final tally of 62 points also represents the Swabians’ fifth-best top-flight campaign ever.

Stuttgart have impressed in a number of areas this term. Their 71 goals were the second most in the Bundesliga after Bayern, with Deniz Undav (19 goals) second in the goalscorers list behind Harry Kane, who hit 36. At the back, Bayern loanee Alexander Nübel kept 11 clean sheets, the third most in the league. Their comeback qualities, with 20 points gained from losing positions, were likewise only bettered by FCB (29). “We travel to the DFB Cup final in Berlin with a Champions League place in the bag – that’s an excellent position to deliver a top performance,” declared Hoeneß.

Nevertheless, VfB have come away empty-handed from all three previous encounters with Bayern this season, conceding 11 goals and scoring three. “We’re now a bit more experienced when it comes to playing Bayern Munich – and we want to use that to our advantage,” said ex-Real player Chema looking ahead to Saturday’s showdown. The two southern clubs have met 10 times before in the history of the DFB Cup, with the Bavarians winning nine of those. In the most recent one, the final in 2013, Bayern completed the treble with a 3-2 win having been 3-0 in front. Only in the last 16 in 1989 did Stuttgart come out on top. “On paper, it’s pretty clear who the favourites will be, but for a cup final, it comes down to a few details on the day,” said board member for sport Fabian Wohlgemuth. “If we rise to the occasion and give it everything we’ve got, I believe that we can all pull together once again and achieve something truly exceptional.”