Stuttgarter Kickers 4–0 Bayern München II | International Club Friendly | 12 July 2026

Stuttgarter Kickers sent a strong message to their fans and future opponents with a resounding 4‑0 victory over Bayern München II in a pre‑season friendly at the Gazi-Stadion auf der Waldau. The Regionalliga Südwest side dismantled the Bayern reserves with an aggressive attacking display, leaving the visitors chasing shadows for most of the match.

Match Overview

While the result carries no competitive points, the performance will give Kickers’ head coach Markus Fink plenty of encouragement ahead of the new Regionalliga campaign. Bayern München II, known for developing young talent, fielded a blend of academy prospects and first‑team fringe players but were simply outplayed by a hungrier and more cohesive home side.

Key Moments

• 12th minute – 1–0: A long throw‑in caused chaos in the Bayern box. After a flick‑on, Kickers striker Lukas Scepanik volleyed home from six yards.
• 28th minute – 2–0: A swift one‑two between winger Timo Hölzl and full‑back Felix Weber carved open the defence, and Hölzl slotted clinically past the keeper.
• 44th minute – 3–0: A defensive mistake by Bayern under pressure allowed midfielder Nico Mähler to intercept and drive forward, finishing with a low shot inside the near post.
• 67th minute – 4–0: Substitute striker Julian Kania added gloss to the scoreline with a header from a corner, sealing the rout.

Tactical Story

Stuttgarter Kickers employed a high‑intensity 4‑2‑3‑1 formation, pressing aggressively from the front. Their quick transitions caught Bayern München II off guard, particularly on the flanks where Hölzl and Mähler caused constant problems. Bayern struggled to play out from the back against Kickers’ organised press, frequently resorting to long balls that were easily mopped up by the home centre‑backs.

Standout Players

• Lukas Scepanik (Kickers): The target man scored the opening goal and held the ball up well, allowing runners to join the attack.
• Timo Hölzl (Kickers): A tireless performance on the right wing, providing both a goal and an assist.
• Nico Mähler (Kickers): Controlled midfield with his passing and contributed a crucial third goal.

Context and Pre‑Season Significance

For Stuttgarter Kickers, this result builds momentum ahead of their Regionalliga opener in two weeks. Bayern München II, meanwhile, will view the friendly as a learning experience, with several young players gaining exposure to senior intensity. The comprehensive nature of the defeat suggests the reserve side still has work to do before the new Regionalliga Bayern season begins.