Bayern Munich Aim for Strong Performance Against Stuttgart Ahead of Champions League Clash

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will visit VfB Stuttgart on Friday, looking to fine-tune their form before next week’s Champions League Round of 16 first-leg encounter with Bayer Leverkusen.

While Bayern’s management remains focused on securing a victory in Stuttgart to strengthen their lead at the top of the table, much of Germany’s footballing attention has already shifted to their highly anticipated showdown with the defending Bundesliga champions.

Having secured eight wins in their last nine league matches, Bayern currently sit on 58 points, maintaining an eight-point cushion over second-placed Leverkusen. However, under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen have proven to be a difficult opponent, with Bayern failing to claim a win in their last six encounters.

“Our match against Stuttgart is extremely important because we want to solidify our position at the top,” Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl stated during Thursday’s press conference.

“It won’t be an easy challenge, as they are a strong team that has competed in the Champions League this season. For us, it’s essentially a Champions League-level match against a Champions League-caliber club. As for what it means for the Leverkusen game, we’ll have to wait and see,” he added.

Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany is expected to be without key defensive midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who is still recovering from a thigh injury.

“It’s unlikely that Joshua will be able to make the trip. The timing of this match is just a bit too soon for him, unless something extraordinary happens,” Kompany explained.

On a positive note, midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic, who had been sidelined from training, is now fit and available for selection.

Leverkusen face their own challenge on Saturday as they travel to third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, a team eager to recover from last week’s 4-0 defeat to Bayern. Frankfurt remain in the hunt for a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League, currently holding 42 points—three ahead of fourth-placed Freiburg.

Meanwhile, fellow Champions League contenders Borussia Dortmund, set to face Lille in their own Round of 16 tie on Tuesday, will aim to carry forward their momentum from last week’s dominant 6-0 victory over Union Berlin when they meet St. Pauli on Saturday.

Dortmund, struggling to secure Champions League qualification for next season, have won just one of their three league fixtures under new head coach Niko Kovac. They currently sit in 10th place with 32 points.