Bayern form won´t receive a beauty award, jokes Flick after win over Stuttgart

Bayern Munich are top of the Bundesliga but coach Hansi Flick does not feel his side are worthy of any style points, joking their current form will not see them receive a “beauty award”. 

The champions returned to winning ways in the Bundesliga on Saturday following last weekend’s draw with Werder Bremen, coming from behind to beat Stuttgart 3-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. 

Tanguy Coulibaly handed the hosts a 20th-minute lead with his first professional goal but Bayern stormed back to claim all three points through fine strikes from Kingsley Coman and Robert Lewandowski before the break and a late third from Douglas Costa.

Stuttgart had 15 shots on goal to Bayern’s 13 and caused problems throughout for a side they have now lost to in all but one of their 20 competitive matches. 

The result moves Bayern two points clear at the summit following Borussia Dortmund’s home defeat to Cologne, yet Flick still wants to see more from his side. 

“We all know that we are currently not getting a beauty award,” he told a media conference. 

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— Leon Goretzka (@leongoretzka_) November 28, 2020

“So, it was very important today that we found our way back into the game after falling behind and took the points back to Munich. But we also know that we can play a lot better.

“I know that the team is at the limit right now.”

At the heart of Bayern’s win was a dominant display in midfield by Leon Gortezka. 

Starting his sixth Bundesliga game of the season, the former Schalke man completed 90.9 per cent of his passes – making him the most accurate outfield starter on the pitch – and made four interceptions and 11 possession gains, with both of those tallies the highest of any Bayern player. 

Flick has been impressed with the 25-year-old’s leadership qualities and believes he has been a superb deputy for Joshua Kimmich, who suffered a knee injury against Dortmund earlier this month that will keep him out of action until 2021.

“He is currently a player in midfield who is helping to compensate for Joshua Kimmich’s absence,” the Bayern boss added. 

“He is loud and takes the team with him. These are the things I like. He is currently in the process of showing his leadership qualities again and again in the game.”