South Korean national team center-back Kim Min-jae started for Bayern Munich as the team kicked off its quest for a third consecutive league title with a resounding victory in the opening match of the new German Bundesliga season.

Bayern Munich secured a 5-1 home victory against VfB Stuttgart in the opening match of the 2026-2027 Bundesliga season, held at the Allianz Arena in Munich early Friday, August 29, Korean time.

Having kicked off the season on a high note by defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 to win the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup on August 23, Bayern continued its strong momentum with an opening-round win in the regular league as it aims for a third straight championship.

Kim cemented his position within the squad by starting both matches.

After playing the full match in the Supercup, Kim partnered with Dayot Upamecano today and played for 84 minutes.

Bayern expressed regret in the 17th minute of the first half when Michael Olise's right-footed free-kick hit the goalpost, but they took the lead in the 21st minute.

Upamecano headed in a corner kick delivered by Joshua Kimmich from the opponent's left side near the goalmouth to score the opening goal.

Although Bayern's offensive pressure continued afterwards without adding to the score, ending the first half 1-0, Stuttgart leveled the score just seven minutes into the second half.

Capitalizing on a passing error by Bayern, Stuttgart intercepted the ball and launched an attack. When Bayern's Aleksandar Pavlović failed to properly clear a ball sent into the box, Josha Vagnoman slotted it home with his right foot. However, Bayern regained the lead three minutes later.

In the 10th minute of the second half, Olise scored the winning goal with a left-footed shot from the center of the penalty area, latching onto a through ball threaded between the opposing defenders by Kimmich.

Bayern extended their lead further in the 12th minute of the second half when Stuttgart's Vagnoman turned Alphonso Davies' low cross into his own net while attempting to clear it.

In the 37th minute of the second half, Pavlović added another goal with an assist from Ismael Saibari.

Seemingly confident of victory, Bayern substituted off Kim Min-jae, Pavlović, and Harry Kane in the 39th minute of the second half, bringing on Jonathan Tah, Tom Bischof, and Lennart Karl.

In stoppage time, Luis Díaz put the game out of reach, calmly finding the back of the net with his right foot in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper following a flawless pass from Saibari.

Moroccan national team midfielder Saibari, who left PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) this summer to join Bayern, made his Bundesliga debut after coming on as a substitute in the 16th minute of the second half and recorded two assists.

(Photo: Getty Images)