Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. VfB Stuttgart; Manchester City again linked with Jamal Musiala; Bernardo Silva wants FC Barcelona move; Arsenal still interested in Dušan Vlahović; Michaël Cuisance on the move again; and MORE!

Bayern Munich traveled to VfB Stuttgart in hopes of keeping its recent momentum going, but that, well, did not work out.

In fact, you could argue that some players left their respective games (and maybe hearts) back in Munich. Let’s just get to it, here are some quick hitters on the match:

• As always, let’s start with a look at Thomas Tuchel’s makeshift lineup:

• Tuchel’s XI was a good one based on talent, but his options were limited due to injuries and risk management. The manager could ill-afford to play too many projected starters for the Real Madrid match, but he did have to use a few. There is no real reason to criticize anything as we all knew it would be cobbled together.
• Rumored Bayern Munich transfer target Chris Führich ripped off a nice attempt early in the match, but Manuel Neuer handled it. Führich was very good on the day and probably did himself a favor with this performance.
• The string of no luck regarding injuries continued. Raphaël Guerreiro picked up a knock to what looked like his ankle and was replaced by Leon Goretzka in the 17th minute. Just prior to Guerreiro officially leaving the match, Eric Dier was busted open from a head collision early in the match. Put all of these guys in bubble wrap!
• Later, Dier saved a goal by heading a rocket of a shot to prevent it from scoring, which left his face bloodied again.
• Seconds after Dier went into full “Warrior Mode”, his teammates thanked him by giving up a soft goal (great finish, though) from Leonidas Stergiou who beat Alphonso Davies. Davies’ lackluster run of play continued. The Canadian just cannot get beat by Stergiou there, but the Swiss player just put together a really nice run and finish.
• I don’t care what else Dier has done in his career or where he played, this dude has been a beast since arriving in Bavaria. The Englishman has made the team better, more stable, and tougher.
• In the 37th minute, Bayern Munich was awarded a penalty kick when Serge Gnabry was hauled down in the box. Harry Kane buried it to knot the game at 1-1.
• Tuchel took no chances after halftime by bringing in Dayot Upamecano for Dier.
• Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting should have put Bayern Munich up in the 48th minute, but he missed wide.
• Davies just continues to look lost and unfocused. His fall has been drastic this season.
• Davies’ negative impact on the match was not limited to one goal or a few bad decisions. When former Bayern Munich campus prospect Woo-yeong Jeong entered the match, he promptly beat Davies for an improbable header goal (after a nice cross from Silas). In all Davies, only completed 74% of his passes and lost the ball an astonishing 15 times out of 48.
• In extra time, a complete and utter breakdown on the backline (led by Dayot Upamecano…again), led to Silas making it 3-1. As they say, it was time to start the buses.
• Overall, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow because you just do not want to lose any momentum at this point. More disappointing than the loss, though, were the individual performances. Davies was putrid. Upamecano flamed out. Tel never got it going. Pavlović was not impactful. Onward and upward, though, there is no time for the team to start feeling sorry for itself. A massive test against Real Madrid awaits…

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

The “Manchester City is interested in Jamal Musiala” rumors are persisting. Even with the deluge, it does appear as if the youngster will be back in Bavaria:

Pep Guardiola recognises his Man City squad is in need of refreshing and the club are willing to sanction a £200m spending spree, with Lucas Paqueta and Jamal Musiala among their targets.

Despite all of the conflicting reports, Didi Hamann still thinks Mo Salah is leaving Liverpool FC.

“Well, there’s been talk for a couple of seasons now and obviously if the Saudis are paying a lot of money for him, I think you have to consider it if the money is too good to turn down. They still think he’s a class act. They still think if there’s a big game, he’s the first one or the most likely one to guarantee you a goal. But then again, he’s not getting any younger and he’d bring in a lot of money for the club from Saudi Arabia,” Hamann told Free Bets. “It would be a bad time to sell him and maybe replace him with one or two players. I don’t think he can be replaced because of the goals he scores, the assists he gets, and obviously because he’s never really been out the squad too long with injuries. Given the summer changes though, now might be a good time to move on.”

Yeah, so there is a little bit to talk about with Bayern Munich this week.

I don’t even know we would waste any time with an intro when there is a three-ring circus going on with Bayern Munich’s coaching search, so let’s get right down to business. Here is what we have on tap on for the latest edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• Ralf Rangnick has formally rejected a move to Bayern Munich in favor of keeping his life simple. You can’t fault him for that, but now what?
• After the rejections from Rangnick, Xabi Alonso, and Julian Nagelsmann have all said “No” to Bayern Munich, is Hansi Flick the “break glass in case of emergency option.”
• Sebastian Hoeneß has already stiff-armed speculation that he would be a fit, but could it happen?
• Jonathan Tah to Bayern…eh, I don’t know about this one.
• What to watch for in the next round of Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Bayern Munich is rumored to have interest in Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva (it is a very loose rumor), but Silva might actually just want a move to FC Barcelona:

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is determined to join Barcelona and has asked former teammates Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo about life in Catalonia. Silva could leave for £50m due to a release clause and recognises he would not get into the first XI at Real Madrid.

Arsenal FC still has Juventus striker — and former Bayern Munich transfer target — Dušan Vlahović on its radar for the summer transfer window:

Arsenal remain interested in Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović as they continue their search for a striker ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The #StepOverKing really should have never left Borussia Mönchengladbach. What a mess the career of Michaël Cuisance has been since leaving Die Fohlen for Bayern Munich: