VfB Stuttgart will be without several injured players for their Bundesliga away match at FC Bayern Munich on August 28, 2026. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß named the expected lineup for the clash at the Allianz Arena.
The Swabians sit in 18th place with zero points after the first matchday, having scored one goal and conceded five. That gives them a goal difference of minus four. They trail league leaders Bayern Munich by three points. Their next fixture is already on September 4th at home against 1. FC Köln, who are currently sixth.
The absences for VfB Stuttgart are numerous. Goalkeeper Dennis Seimen and centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou are unavailable. In midfield, Nikolas Nartey and Justin Diehl are missing, while striker Jeremy Arévalo is also out. Another new signing, Leo Sauer, is not yet eligible to play and cannot make his debut.
On a positive note, Jamie Leweling has recovered from illness and traveled to Munich with the squad. Chris Führich remains a doubt, his participation uncertain. The expected starting eleven sees Alexander Bredlow in goal. The back four is set to be Hendricks, Jeltsch, Chabot and Prömel. The midfield could be formed by Stiller and Mittelstädt, with Vagnoman, Undav, Tomas and Pejcinovic comprising the attack.
Hosts FC Bayern Munich will be without attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala. Manager Vincent Kompany gave an explanation. "The situation is under control, Jamal is used to adjusting his treatment doses, and his return will be gradual and at the time determined by the specialist medical staff. The most important thing is that he is fine now," Kompany said. Serge Gnabry is also sidelined with a thigh tendon injury.
Lennart Karl, however, has returned to the team after a torn muscle fiber. Bayern's official lineup lists Manuel Neuer in goal. The defence is formed by Laimer, Kim Min-jae, Upamecano and Davies. The midfield consists of Kimmich and Pavlovic, with the attack made up of Olise, Brown, Diaz and striker Harry Kane. Bayern enters the match as clear favourites, having won the league by 16 points last season, lifted the DFB-Pokal, and reached the Champions League semi-finals. They also recently won the Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund 2-1.
Given the many absences, Sebastian Hoeneß must find creative solutions. The expected lineup suggests a compact 4-2-3-1 system designed to be defensively solid and seek quick counter-attacking opportunities. The double pivot of Stiller and Mittelstädt is meant to relieve pressure from the defence. The major task will be to control Bayern's potent attack led by Kane, while remaining dangerous themselves with Undav up front.
The current league standing increases the pressure to at least put in a respectable performance in Munich and potentially take a point. All current league and squad data can be found on our Standings and Squad pages.
Immediately after the demanding away fixture, the next home game awaits. VfB Stuttgart hosts 1. FC Köln on September 4, 2026. Köln started the season with a win and sit in sixth place before the second matchday. For Stuttgart, this is a direct opportunity to get their first points of the season and stop the negative trend. The exact dates of all upcoming matches are listed in the Fixtures calendar. The match against Köln kicks off in Stuttgart.
