Three Observations from FC Bayern’s 3-0 DFB-Pokal win over Stuttgart

Bayern Munich earned the home double in a 3-0 win over Stuttgart in Berlin. It was scoreless at halftime, however Bayern’s high quality ultimately prevailed within the type of one other hat-trick from Harry Kane, his fifth of the season. Bayern’s postgame celebration was filled with smiles, hugs, and dancing earlier than many of the squad heads to North America to play within the 2026 World Cup for his or her respective international locations.

Six of the earlier eight DFB-Pokal finals featured a remaining margin of a number of objectives and by no means felt notably shut. Tonight’s ending consequence was related, however proved to be a grinding affair the place neither crew felt inclined to yield an inch of free house to the opponent. Bayern’s first actual likelihood turned the opening aim and Harry Kane’s subsequent aim was the byproduct of a prolonged stretch the place Stuttgart lastly gassed out. Angelo Stiller conceded a penalty kick in stoppage time purely as a result of he was mentally and bodily exhausted.

Stuttgart introduced a relentless physicality to Berlin. Referee Sven Jablonski persistently allowed excessive challenges from each groups and didn’t reward gamers who went down simply. There have been quite a few fouls within the first half that ought to have drawn yellow playing cards, however Jablonski held the road, and allowed the gamers to duel it out. The primary yellow card didn’t seem till the 54th minute on the thirteenth foul of the match, a tactical jersey pull by Chris Führich to decelerate Michael Olise.

On the following free kick, Joshua Kimmich performed shortly to place Olise in a 1v1 state of affairs the place he simply beat Ramon Hendriks to the endline and Harry Kane caught Chema Andrés napping for a simple header. After Kane’s aim, Bayern settled into possession and compelled Stuttgart into chasing ghosts for the remainder of the night time.

Jonas Urbig performed like a seasoned veteran

Manuel Neuer tweaked his calf within the Bundesliga finale final weekend, paving the way in which for Urbig to begin the primary remaining of his profession. Bayern struggled early within the match to construct out of the again, forcing Urbig into three first half saves.

Vincent Kompany shifted the technique by drawing in Stuttgart’s excessive press to play into the strengths of Urbig’s lengthy ball accuracy. Urbig started pinpointing holdup gamers who might hyperlink up with Konrad Laimer and Josip Stanišić making diagonal runs beneath the holdup participant. This maneuver offered aid and opened up the wings for Michael Olise and Luis Díaz to lastly generate an offensive risk within the remaining third.

Urbig completed the season with seven clear sheets in 17 begins. That ratio ought to maintain or improve subsequent 12 months because of the additional minutes allotted to Urbig from Neuer’s extension.

Vincent Kompany will get it proper

In Kompany’s first cup remaining as a supervisor, he didn’t tweak his most popular beginning XI. He trusted the squad to climate the storm and permit Harry Kane to ship one other clutch efficiency to be the main drive behind Kane’s first cup title as knowledgeable.

Lennart Karl changed Jamal Musiala within the 76th minute. Leon Goretzka earned a late substitution. Hiroki Itō, Tom Bischof, and Raphaël Guerreiro obtained honorary substitutions within the remaining minutes as a reward for his or her dutiful service this season.

For the primary time since 2020, this can be a well-constructed roster that performs as a singular unit. There might be additions over the summer time however no main structural adjustments. Kompany would be the first Bayern supervisor to final 24 months within the job since his mentor Pep Guardiola.

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