According to a report from Sport Bild’s Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), one of the reasons that Bayern Munich could not keep midfielder Angelo Stiller was because former coach Hansi Flick preferred faster midfielders and just did not think Stiller was quick enough for Bayern Munich at that time:
Hasan Salihamidžić and Marco Neppe tried very hard to ensure that Angelo Stiller stayed at FC Bayern and did not leave. Hansi Flick did not give him much of a chance at the time, and his lack of speed was one of the points.
Interestingly, Flick was not exactly working a Murderer’s Row of midfielders at the time. Joshua Kimmich was really coming into his own and Leon Goretzka was living up to his billing a box-to-box threat. Meanwhile, Corentin Tolisso was battling injuries and his form, Javi Martinez was banged up (hamstring), sick (missed 46 days with COVID), and winding down his career.
Meanwhile, Marc Roca was also being assessed as being too immobile and Tiago Dantas looked like he went to the wrong field while attempting to attend the U-13 training sessions. Finally, Michaël Cuisance and Adrian Fein both (rightfully) went away on loan assignments.
In retrospect, if there was ever a time where Stiller could have been given a closer look, it was probably during that season. Regardless, the player help a strong sense of self-belief that he would develop into a Bundesliga starter — and that he just needed a chance to prove it.
Rightfully impatied with his situation, Stiller hauled off to Hoffenheim in July of 2021 to reunited with Sebastian Hoeneß, where he finally got the chance to prove himself.
And he did.
Stiller showed that he had the requisite skill, toughness, and quickness to be an effective No. 6 in a “Top 5 League” and has only gotten better since that moment. Following Hoeneß to VfB Stuttgart, Stiller is on the cusp of making the 2026 World Cup squad.
While the timing just was not right for the determined 23-year-old to make it with Bayern Munich, he has done just fine without Säbener Straße. Who knows? Maybe one day he will back working alongside his old campus buddy, Aleksandar Pavlović, in the Bayern Munich midfield some day.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 14
Bayern Munich is back in action and — like always — there is a lot to talk about with the team.
The Bavarians have a big match with VfB Stuttgart, but there are a lot of high-level subjects that have rushed to the forefront of what fans are debating, so let’s get to it! This is what we have on tap for this week’s episode of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- The connections between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart are wild.
- Paul Wanner is looking more and more like a star. Does he have a role with Bayern Munich next season? Will he be blocked if the club extends Jamal Musiala and acquires Florian Wirtz?
- A listener Q&A segment.
- Alphonso Davies to…FC Barcelona?
- The Entertainment Rundown is back again…let’s briefly talk about The Penguin and Salem’s Lot.
Song of the Week: “Bang the Drum All Day” — Todd Rundgren
You know what…I don’t want to work and banging on the drum probably wouldn’t be so bad, would it? Let’s throw this week’s song back to 1982 when I was just a wee lad.
Maybe I have a small affinity to Todd Rundgren because he hails from the same county I do (#Delco), but this one is always a good song to shake off the work doldrums and get you ready for the weekend:
Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show: Bayern Munich vs. VfB Stuttgart
Bayern Munich is back in action and we are thrilled about getting to see the squad lace up their boots to take on a very tough VfB Stuttgart side in the Bundesliga this weekend.
There is a lot to talk about, so let’s down to discussing why this match is so intriguing:
- Why VfB Stuttgart is a challenge for Bayern Munich, but still has a way to go to get back to where it was last season.
- A look at where each team is in the table and the recent form of each squad.
- A look at the rosters and injuries for VfB Stuttgart and the Bayern Munich.
- A guess at Bayern Munich’s starting XI.
- A prediction on the match.
Entertainment Rundown
The Penguin — Season 1, Episode 4
THe Penguin has been the surprise of the season. Given how much of a sucker I am for a good backstory, you know this week appealed to me. We got the whole history of how Sophia Falcone went from being the mobster’s daughter to The Hangman.
While it was a bit rushed and forced for why she was set up (trying to avoid spoilers the best I can here), we got a terrific view into her life, her time spent “inside”, and how she has become so damaged and ruthless.
It was a departure from a focus on Oz Cobb, but a worthwhile jaunt into the past that should set things up nicely for the rest of the season.
Rating: 9.50/10.00
Salem’s Lot
Another reboot of a Stephen King book-turned-movie, Salem’s Lot appeared to have everything going its way — a good cast, a compelling story, a great setting, really nice cinematography. There was not much that looked like this would go astray…until it did.
The weird part was that it was not the writing or acting or anything like that caused issues…it was the editing. Clearly, parts were rushed and slammed together where the story could have been flushed out more. It felt as if the director or production team wanted to keep the move within a certain timeframe and instead of recrafting parts of the move with softer edits or just simply adding more time to the film, we lost key dialogue and the ending felt beyond rushed.
All that said — and maybe it is the Halloween season taking over — I did like it. Overall, it was good, but not great. During Halloween season, it is worth your watch.
Rating: 7.50/10.00
Predictions
Bundesliga
This is not a “must win” for Bayern Munich, but it is a very important game nonetheless. The Bavarians need a win to change the momentum, but it would not be the end of the season if they lose.
We could talk in circles all day, but the bottomline is that Bayern Munich needs to be a lot better than it has been. The defense needs to be more stable, the attack needs to find a way to get Harry Kane involved, and Vincent Kompany needs to be able to adjust if things are not working.
Right now, VfB Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß says he is willing to play an “open” style against Bayern Munich, but we will see if he strays from the low-lock and quick counterattack strategy that Bayern’s last three opponents have successfully deployed.
The thinking here is that Bayern Munich will win…it just will not be easy.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-2 VfB Stuttgart
Other Bundesliga Predictions:
- Borussia Dortmund 3-1 St. Pauli
- Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 Heidenheim
- Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
- Hoffenheim 2-0 VfL Bochum
- Mainz 05 1-3 RB Leipzig
- Holstein Kiel 1-2 Union Berlin
- SC Freiburg 1-0 FC Augsburg
- VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 Werder Bremen
Champions League
This match is going to be harder than it might look.
FC Barcelona is better than its recent iterations and Hansi Flick will be motivated to play against his former club (who — let’s be honest — did not fully back him in 2021 before he resigned).
That might all be water under the bridge at this point, but — at some point — Barca has to stand up for itself against Bayern Munich in a game that matters. This just feels like the time they make a stand.
Prediction: FC Barcelona 2-2 Bayern Munich
Other Champions League predictions include:
Prediction Records
- Last Week Bundesliga: 2-7 (Matchday 6)
- Overall Bundesliga: 24-30
- UEFA Nations League: 57-38
- Champions League: 21-15
- DFB-Pokal: 26-6
- Total: 118-87
- Perfect Picks: 22 (when the score and winner is predicted exactly)
