Stuttgart’s poor recent form didn’t show in the opening stages, with Bayern loanee Alexander Nübel’s long ball bouncing kindly for Josha Vagnoma, who disappointingly prodded straight at Manuel Neuer.
Perhaps it was the victory in last season’s corresponding fixture – which ultimately proved instrumental in Stuttgart’s finishing above Bayern – that motivated the Swabians, who continued to trouble through the mercurial Nick Woltemade.
They then survived a couple of scares, including when Finn Jeltsch recovered well to execute a last-ditch challenge on Leroy Sané.
Bayern had looked dangerous, but the hosts still had the majority of possession and chances leading up to their opener.
The visitors maybe should have heeded the warning of Deniz Undav striking the outside of the post, but there was little they could have done when Angelo Stiller received it from Vagnoman outside the area and rifled a left-footed drive into the near top corner.
But despite their first-half superiority, a complacent Stuttgart left themselves wide open at the back in stoppage time, allowing Sané to play through Michael Olise, who levelled by stroking inside the far post.
As a result of their goal just before half time, a reinvigorated Bayern looked back to their best after the restart, creating a range of opportunities before finally forging ahead for the first time in the match.
It came from a defensive error, as Nübel’s pass put Stiller under unnecessary pressure, with the midfielder unable to offload it quickly enough to prevent Leon Goretzka from intercepting and slotting home.
Stuttgart looked desperate in the final stages, which led to another mistake as Vagnoman gave it away to Kingsley Coman, who rounded the onrushing Nübel and finished into the empty net from distance.
Stuttgart thus slumped to a third successive home defeat for the first time since February 2022, while Bayern can see this as proof of their progress given that they failed to clear this hurdle during their disappointing 2023/24 campaign.
Not only have they scored the joint-second most goals after 24 matches of any Bundesliga side in history, but their solidity at the back is something few would have expected when Vincent Kompany was announced in the summer.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)