Bundesliga Preview: Stuttgart Eyeing Up Bayern Munich as They Face Borussia Dortmund

Stuttgart heads to Borussia Dortmund’s turf on Saturday, trailing second-placed Bayern Munich by a mere three points with just seven games remaining in the Bundesliga season. Their remarkable resurgence this season has put them on the brink of Champions League qualification, marking their best Bundesliga finish in nearly two decades.

Last season, Stuttgart faced the threat of relegation, needing to win a two-legged play-off against second-division Hamburg to secure their Bundesliga status. Fast forward to this season, and they are on the verge of clinching a spot in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

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In contrast, Bayern Munich’s recent performance against Dortmund hinted at a team already resigned to the inevitability of Bayer Leverkusen’s impending league triumph. After Bayern’s 2-0 defeat to Dortmund, a dejected Thomas Tuchel, Bayern’s coach, conceded, offering his “congratulations to Leverkusen.”

As Bayern now likely shift their focus towards the Champions League quarter-final tie against Arsenal, Stuttgart has a golden opportunity to leapfrog the faltering Bavarians and secure their highest league finish since their title-winning campaign in 2006-07.

With two victories this season, Stuttgart’s recent success against Dortmund underscores their potential to make a statement in the Bundesliga. Additionally, they are one of only four teams to have taken points off Leverkusen in 40 matches across all competitions.

Dortmund, however, presents a formidable challenge, riding a five-match winning streak and boasting an impressive record this year, having lost just one of their 13 games. Despite the daunting task ahead, Stuttgart’s coach, Sebastian Hoeness, remains optimistic, acknowledging the difficulty of facing a team in such formidable form.

For Dortmund’s manager, Edin Terzic, the threat posed by Stuttgart extends beyond their prolific strike duo of Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav. Terzic emphasized Stuttgart’s flexibility and self-confidence, labeling them as a “dangerous mix.”

Dortmund, currently sitting just three points ahead of fifth-placed RB Leipzig, seeks to build on their recent victory over Bayern. Meanwhile, Leverkusen, led by the brilliant Florian Wirtz, continues their relentless pursuit of the title, facing Union Berlin on Saturday.

Wirtz, Leverkusen’s midfield maestro, has been instrumental in their success this season, showcasing his talent with a remarkable display against Fortuna Duesseldorf. With Leverkusen boasting 73 points with seven games remaining, they are on course to surpass last season’s point tally of Bayern and Dortmund.

As the Bundesliga season approaches its climax, the race for the top-four spots intensifies, with Stuttgart aiming to seize the opportunity and etch their name among Europe’s elite. With key matchups and standout performers shaping the narrative, the Bundesliga promises thrilling football action in the weeks to come.