Bayern Munich Face Stuttgart Ahead Of Big Bayer Leverkusen Champions League Test

Bayern Munich's Bundesliga clash in Stuttgart on Friday is the first stop in a season-defining fortnight for Vincent Kompany's team. Stung by ruthless double winners Bayer Leverkusen condemning them to a first trophyless season in 11 years, Bayern have rebounded this term and lost just once in the league. With 11 games remaining, Bayern sit eight points clear of Leverkusen. The two face off in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the first game in Munich on Wednesday and the return leg in Leverkusen six days later.

Bayern know any points dropped in Stuttgart will be like blood in the water for Leverkusen, not just on Wednesday, but in the league.

In an interview with Kicker, club powerbroker Uli Hoeness reiterated that Bayern's main focus should always be the league, even if this season's Champions League final is in Munich.

"I think and I hope that we will take back the league title. There's too much talk about the Champions League... The league would mean a lot to me," said Hoeness.

Gunning for the top four, Stuttgart have had a decent record against Bayern in recent seasons, with a win and two draws from their past six meetings.

The undoubted ace in Stuttgart's pack is coach Sebastian Hoeness, Uli's nephew.

Since the younger Hoeness took over Stuttgart in April 2023, he has turned the flailing side -- traditionally one of Germany's biggest clubs -- from relegation candidates to Champions League participants.

Last season, Stuttgart beat Bayern 3-1 at home on their way to pipping the German giants into second spot.

This year, Hoeness has again impressed, rebuilding a side which lost star striker Serhou Guirassy, centre-back and captain Waldemar Anton (both to Dortmund) and defender Hiroki Ito, to Bayern.

Guirassy