Bayern’s Bundesliga title ambitions suffered a setback on Saturday, as VfB Stuttgart netted either side of half-time to inflict FCB’s first home defeat in 17 matches. Worse still, with Manchester United due in Munich in the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, Arjen Robben finished the game unable to run after apparently pulling a hamstring late on.
The 69,000 full house at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern claim the lead through Ivica Olic, but the visitors levelled before the break with a deflected Christian Träsch effort. Ciprian Marica controversially headed Christian Gross’s men in front five minutes into the second period, and despite laying siege to the Stuttgart goal in the closing stages, the Bavarians were unable to force home an equaliser.
Perhaps even more than the dropped points, Munich could yet rue the injury to on-fire Robben, who pulled up shortly before the final whistle and was unable to take any further active part in the match.
A second league defeat on the trot has cost Bayern their place at the top of the standings, as Schalke's 2-0 win away to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday evening means Felix Magath's side now lead the way with 58 points from 28 matches, with FCB two back on 56 and Bayer a further three behind in third.
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