Bayern Munich beat Stuttgart 1-0 after late game drama — Player grades
Bayern Munich leave it late, but eventually beat Stuttgart 1-0 thanks to a few heroic individual displays. Player grades below.
Manager Grade
Jupp Heynckes — C
His team selection was slightly questionable. Forcing Corentin Tolisso out on the right and crowding out the midfield were probably not the best decisions in hindsight. But Bayern Munich got the three points thanks to some heroic displays by Thomas Muller and Sven Ulreich. With an important match against Borussia Dortmund looming midweek, Jupp has some work to do in motivating his Bayern side.
Player Grades
GK, Sven Ulreich — A
Bayern’s player of the month for November, Ulreich continued his excellent form against his former club. After missing some time due to injury, Sven seamlessly slotted back into the Bayern goal and made a few important difficult saves. Most notably though, he stepped up majorly to save Stuttgart’s (questionable) late penalty. What a back-up!
DEF, Rafinha — B
Another solid performance from Bayern’s back-up full-back. With his future at the club in question, the Brazilian-German continually gives everything for his club.
DEF, Mats Hummels — B+
Calm and collected as ever at the heart of the Bavarian defense. His excellent tackling shut down Stuttgart’s attack on multiple occasions, and his coolness in possession ensured their high-press remained largely ineffective.
DEF, Jerome Boateng — C+
Serving as Bayern captain on the day, Boateng’s defensive work wasn’t quite as impressive as his central defensive partner’s. However, he contributed well going forward and nearly put himself on the scoresheet.
DEF, Joshua Kimmich — C+
A good — but not great — game by Kimmich’s standards. His match-high 98 touches and 70 passes (65 accurate) show just how important Kimmich has become to this Bayern side.
MID, Javi Martinez — B-
A match-high seven interceptions tells you everything you need to know about Javi’s defensive work against a high-energy Stuttgart side. The Spaniard may not be the flashiest of players, but he always does his job in defensive midfield; and he does it well.
MID, Kingsley Coman — B-
A bit of a mixed bag from the young Frenchman. The Stuttgart defense kept him quiet for most of the match, but he slowly grew into the game before making the crucial game-winning assist.
Thomas Muller loves playing Stuttgart.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 16, 2017
His 7th career goal against VFB (but only his 2nd of this season) gives Bayern a late lead. #VFBFCB https://t.co/HtkSXDKvll
MID, Arturo Vidal — C
Not the best game for Arturo Vidal, who couldn’t grab his fifth Bundesliga goal. He somehow escaped a yellow card after a few errant challenges and left a little to be desired in his offensive efforts.
MID, James Rodriguez — C
It’s hard to judge the Colombian international’s game. On one hand, he created the most chances for die Bayern. On the other, he left a constant feeling that he could be doing more. He’s been nothing short of fantastic since Jupp Heynckes joined the club, but couldn’t quite find that dazzling form against Stuttgart. Loses points for fluffing his lines in a clear one-on-one late in the game that nearly cost Bayern big time.
MID, Corentin Tolisso — C+
Forced to play as a right winger of sorts, Coco was nearly as effective as he could’ve been if played properly. Regardless, he was an attacking threat throughout, creating a few big chances. He just missed his chance to provide Bayern with a winner thanks to a good save (one of many) by Ron-Robert Zieler.
FWD, Robert Lewandowski — C+
Toiled effertlessly throughout the match, often dropping way deep into the Bayern midfield. Lewandowski was starved of service, though, and there was little he could do to influence the match one way or the other. He took the few chances he had well, but was denied by an excellent Ron-Robert Zieler.
Next: Bayern Munich could bring back Renato Sanches in January
Subs
MID, Thomas Muller — A
He came in late and scored the game-winner shortly after making a crucial interception at the other end of the pitch. What more could you ask for from Bayern’s raumdeuter, who has had a hand in a goal in every match he’s played since coming back from injury?
DEF, Niklas Sule — C
Not quite as calm in defense as the man he replaced, Sule always looks more comfortable paired with Mats Hummels than with Jerome Boateng.