On matchday 32 of the Bundesliga, second placed Bayern Munich travelled to the MHPArena to take on third placed VfB Stuttgart. With injuries continuing to be a source of bother and with one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League second leg semifinal against Real Madrid, Thomas Tuchel had no choice but to ring in the changes on Saturday.
Six changes were made to the XI that started against Real Madrid in the first leg. In defense, Alphonso Davies replaced Noussair Mazraoui at left-back. In midfield, Raphael Guerreiro and Aleksandar Pavlovic started in place of Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka. While Serge Gnabry, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Mathys Tel joined the Bayern attack behind Harry Kane.
With bigger fish to fry on Wednesday, Bayern had to adopt a more conservative approach. And it resulted in a rather disappointing defeat, leaving the Bavarians with work to do to secure second place in the Bundesliga. Let us take a look at some key takeaways from Bayern Munich's 3-1 loss in Stuttgart.
Injuries strike again at the worst possible time
With less than fifteen minutes played, Eric Dier needed medical attention for a wound suffered during a clash of heads with a Stuttgart player. Soon afterwards, Raphael Guerreiro injured his ankle and had to be replaced by Leon Goretzka. The Portuguese international will be out for several weeks as a result of the injury.
Before the half-hour mark Eric Dier was again in need of medical attention after he headed clear a scorching goal-bound volley from Serhou Guirassy.
The English defender was visibly shaken up from the impact of the ball as it reopened the wound on his head. Whilst Bayern were temporarily reduced to ten men, Stuttgart opened the scoring. A heavily bandaged Dier returned to action just moments after goal, but he was substituted during the half-time interval by Dayot Upamecano.
It looks like Matthijs de Ligt and Jamal Musiala will return for the second leg vs Real Madrid, but Bayern Munich's injury woes have certainly cost the team heavily this season.