Bayern vs Stuttgart lineup: Tah benched, Brown at No. 10
For the Bayern VfB Stuttgart Bundesliga opener, Vincent Kompany has named a starting XI that benches Jonathan Tah and restores Dayot Upamecano beside Kim Min-jae, with Nathaniel Brown again at No. 10 behind Harry Kane as Bayern chase another dominant season start at the Allianz Arena.
The 64th Bundesliga season kicks off on Friday, August 28, 2026, with the champions hosting Stuttgart at 8:30 p.m. local time on Sky and Sat.1. Kompany makes two changes from Bayern's 2-1 Franz Beckenbauer Supercup win over Borussia Dortmund last Saturday. Tah, Bayern's established center-back, surprisingly starts on the bench while Upamecano partners Kim from the first whistle.
Josip Stanisic also drops out of the lineup. Alphonso Davies returns at left back in his place. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic anchor midfield, with Michael Olise, Brown, and Luis Díaz ahead of them. Kane leads the line as Bayern look to replicate last season's 6-0 opening-day thrashing of RB Leipzig.
Key Takeaways
- Jonathan Tah is on the Bayern bench as Dayot Upamecano starts alongside Kim Min-jae against Stuttgart.
- Nathaniel Brown again plays the No. 10 role behind Harry Kane, deputizing for the injured Jamal Musiala.
- Stuttgart start Dzenan Pejcinovic up front, with Thiago Tomas on the right wing instead of Bilal El Khannouss.
- The Bundesliga opener kicks off at 8:30 p.m. as Bayern open their push for a third straight title.
Why Did Kompany Bench Jonathan Tah?
After starting the Supercup against Dortmund, Tah watches from the substitutes' bench as Kompany opts for Upamecano beside Kim. The call creates immediate debate over Bayern's center-back pecking order at the start of a title-defense season.
Upamecano, 27, gets the nod to build rhythm with Kim, 29, from minute one. Tah, 30, must wait for his Bundesliga chance despite his senior role in the squad. Whether this is one-off rotation or a longer-term signal will become clear over the coming weeks.
Who Starts for Bayern Against Stuttgart?
Bayern's confirmed XI: Manuel Neuer in goal; a back four of Konrad Laimer, Kim, Upamecano, and Davies; Kimmich and Pavlovic in midfield; Olise, Brown, and Díaz behind Kane.
Brown, the 23-year-old summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported 50 million euros, again fills Musiala's playmaker role after impressing in the Supercup. Davies' return pushes Stanisic to the bench. Neuer, meanwhile, is widely expected to be in his final Bayern season, while the club negotiates a contract extension with Kane.
How Is Stuttgart Lining Up for the Opener?
Stuttgart's lineup: Alexander Bredlow in goal; Jeltsch, Chabot, and Hendriks in a back three; Vagnoman, Prömel, Angelo Stiller, and Mittelstädt across midfield; Tiago Tomas and Undav supporting Pejcinovic up front.
Pejcinovic, the Germany U21 striker, starts ahead of Undav in the central striking role. Tomas operates on the right wing in place of Bilal El Khannouss. For Stuttgart, the trip to Munich is an immediate test against a Bayern side tipped to march toward a third consecutive Bundesliga crown.
What Does Bayern VfB Stuttgart Mean for the Title Race?
Bayern enter as overwhelming favorites after last season's dominance, and Kompany's lineup choices show he wants a fast, confident start. Stuttgart must prove they can compete at the top from day one.
For more breaking sports and entertainment updates, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage. Full lineups were confirmed by ARD sportschau and BILD ahead of kickoff.