You’ve probably heard it called the "Southern Derby." It sounds official, doesn't it? Like something etched into the granite of German football history. But if you talk to a fan in the heart of Munich, they might shrug and tell you their real enemy is in Dortmund or across town at 1860. Yet, for anyone watching the Bundesliga lately, VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern has become the most electric, high-stakes fixture on the calendar. This isn't just another game. It’s a clash of identities.
The narrative used to be simple: Bayern shows up, Stuttgart plays hard for twenty minutes, and then Harry Kane or some other superstar clinicalizes them into submission. Boring. Predictable. But the script flipped. Since Sebastian Hoeneß—nephew of Bayern legend Uli Hoeneß—took the reins at Stuttgart, the Swabians have stopped being a punching bag. They’ve started punching back.
The Hoeneß Factor and the Shift in Power
It’s kinda weird when you think about it. The man responsible for Stuttgart’s meteoric rise carries the most famous name in Bayern’s history. Sebastian Hoeneß didn't just save Stuttgart from relegation; he turned them into a team that actually wants the ball. In their recent 2025-2026 encounters, we've seen a Stuttgart side that refuses to park the bus.
Honestly, the stats from the first half of the 2025/26 season are wild. Bayern still leads the league in possession, usually hovering around 65-70%, but Stuttgart is right there behind them. They aren't afraid. They play a high line. They press like madmen. When these two meet, the midfield becomes a blender.
We saw this in the "Franz Beckenbauer Supercup" back in August 2025. It was a 2-1 win for Bayern, but Stuttgart had them on the ropes. New signing Luis Díaz and the ever-reliable Harry Kane snatched the trophy for Vincent Kompany’s men, but Jamie Leweling’s late header for VfB proved that the gap is closing. Or at least, it’s not the chasm it used to be.
Why the 5-0 Scoreline Was a Lie
Wait, didn't Bayern just crush them 5-0 in December 2025?
Yeah, they did.
If you just look at the Google result, you’d think "Same old Bayern." But that match was a tactical anomaly. Stuttgart actually controlled large portions of the early play. Then, a red card for Lorenz Assignon in the 81st minute turned a competitive game into a slaughter. Harry Kane, being the predatory machine he is, bagged a hat-trick in the final twenty minutes.
That scoreline is a classic example of why "VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern" is a fixture that requires context. If you weren't watching, you missed the fact that Stuttgart’s Nikolas Nartey was actually the highest-rated player on the pitch for the first hour. Bayern is just better at punishing mistakes. They don't just win; they delete you if you blink.
Recent Match History (The Reality Check)
| Date | Competition | Result | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 6, 2025 | Bundesliga | Stuttgart 0-5 Bayern | Kane hat-trick after Assignon red card. |
| Aug 16, 2025 | Supercup | Stuttgart 1-2 Bayern | Luis Díaz debut goal; very close game. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Bundesliga | Stuttgart 1-3 Bayern | Clinical finishing from Musiala. |
| May 4, 2024 | Bundesliga | Stuttgart 3-1 Bayern | The day Stuttgart truly arrived. |
That 3-1 win in May 2024 is still the "North Star" for VfB fans. It proved that under Hoeneß, they could outplay, outrun, and outthink the Rekordmeister.
The Return of Jamal Musiala and the 2026 Outlook
As we head into the "Rückrunde" of 2026, the dynamic is shifting again. The big news? Jamal Musiala is back.
He’s been out since a brutal leg injury at the Club World Cup, but Vincent Kompany recently confirmed he's integrated back into the squad. For Stuttgart, this is a nightmare. Musiala is the "X-factor" that breaks tactical setups. You can have the perfect defensive block, and he’ll just dance through it.
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On the other side, Stuttgart is being called the "Team of 2026" by German media. They’ve started the new year by taking down Dortmund and Leverkusen. They are playing with a "nothing to lose" swagger that is genuinely scary. Even without Bilal El Khannouss, who has been away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirović have been clinical.
Undav is a character. He recently joked that he "missed chances on purpose" just to keep games interesting. That kind of confidence is what Stuttgart was missing for a decade. They no longer enter the MHPArena against Bayern looking for a respectable loss. They’re looking for blood.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Southern Derby
The biggest misconception is that this is a "friendly" regional rivalry.
It’s not.
There is deep-seated resentment in the Swabian region toward the Bavarian giants. It’s the "working class" pride of Stuttgart against the "high society" aura of Munich. When VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern kicks off, the atmosphere is hostile.
People also assume Bayern always has the better youth. Not necessarily. Look at the 2025/26 rosters. Stuttgart is fielding guys like Finn Jeltsch and Nikolas Nartey who are arguably more "essential" to their system than some of the expensive rotations in Munich. Bayern has the superstars, but Stuttgart has the synergy.
Strategic Insights: How Stuttgart Actually Beats Bayern
If you’re a tactical nerd, watch the half-spaces. Stuttgart wins when they can isolate Bayern’s fullbacks. Vincent Kompany likes his defenders high and aggressive.
- Exploit the High Line: Stuttgart uses the pace of Chris Führich and Jamie Leweling to get behind Dayot Upamecano.
- The Stiller Connection: Angelo Stiller is the heart of Stuttgart. He used to be at Bayern. He knows their rhythm. If he’s allowed to dictate play, Bayern struggles.
- Set Pieces: Surprisingly, Bayern has looked vulnerable in the air during the 2025/26 campaign. Stuttgart’s delivery from Mittelstädt is world-class.
Bayern’s strategy is simpler: overwhelm. With Luis Díaz and Michael Olise on the wings, they stretch you until you snap. Then Kane drops deep, pulls a center-back out of position, and it’s game over. It’s a game of "chicken" played at 100 miles per hour.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are following the next chapter of this rivalry, keep your eyes on these specific factors:
- Watch the 60-70 Minute Mark: This is where Bayern’s bench usually settles the score. Stuttgart often keeps it level until the depth of the Munich squad takes over.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Specifically Musiala’s minutes. If he’s starting, the tactical plan for Stuttgart has to change completely.
- Home Field Matters: The MHPArena is a fortress. Bayern’s win percentage drops significantly when the "Cannstatter Kurve" is in full voice.
- The "Revenge" Narrative: After the 5-0 drubbing in December, expect Stuttgart to play with a chip on their shoulder in the next meeting.
The 2026 version of VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern isn't a foregone conclusion anymore. It’s a chess match between a young, hungry coach and a global powerhouse trying to maintain its throne. Whether you're a neutral or a die-hard, this is the one Bundesliga game you cannot afford to miss. Check the upcoming April 2026 fixtures at the Allianz Arena; that will likely be the title decider.