Bayern extended their winning streak against south German rivals VfB Stuttgart to eight games on Sunday and stretched their lead in the Bundesliga too, a much improved second-half display and goals from Mario Mandzukic and Thomas Müller proving enough to overcome the intransigent home team, who finished with ten men after Martin Harnik’s late dismissal.
The first 60,441 full house of term at the Mercedes-Benz Arena witnessed a tight tactical battle in the first period with little goalmouth action. Dante and Mandzukic had half-chances for Jupp Heynckes’ side, with Manuel Neuer making one scrambled save to deny VfB and Austria dangerman Harnik.
The visitors were much sprightlier after the restart and never looked back after Mandzukic capitalised on a Cristian Molinaro howler to hand his side a 50th-minute lead. Müller netted the second from close range with 20 minutes to go, before hothead Harnik saw a second yellow card and was sent off ten minutes from time.
The result takes Bayern onto 48 points from 19 matches, now 11 points clear of Bayer Leverkusen and 12 ahead of champions Dortmund. FCB return to action away to Mainz next Saturday.
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