Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga with a 4-2 victory at Wolfsburg.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side started on the front foot and after just nine minutes they were 1-0 up as Kingsley Coman curled in an inviting cross from the left-hand side which evaded all and found its way into the back of the net.
Just five minutes later and Coman had his second. Joao Cancelo fired a superb cross over to Coman on the left who struck it first-time on the volley past Koen Casteels. For Cancelo, it was his second assist in as many games for his new club.
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Wolfsburg got themselves into good attacking positions as they looked to reduce the deficit but couldn’t quite make it happen in front of goal and their frequent attacks left big gaps in behind that Bayern were able to exploit.
The visitors kept coming forward, sensing an opportunity to really put out a statement win and in the 19th minute they had their third goal of the afternoon.
Joshua Kimmich whipped in a free-kick and Thomas Muller was on hand to head home and put Bayern 3-0 up inside 20 minutes.
Undeterred by Bayern’s ruthless approach and the 3-0 scoreline, Wolfsburg continued to attack and finally got their goal on the stroke of half-time. Paulo Otavio slid the ball through to substitute Jakub Kaminski who was able to stroke it past Yann Sommer and into the back of the net to give Wolfsburg a lifeline. It was a goal that had been coming and meant that the wait would go on for Sommer’s first clean sheet of the season in the Bundesliga for Bayern.
The home side came out for the second half as they ended the first, putting Bayern Munich under serious pressure as Niko Kovac’s side looked to get into wide areas and fire crosses into the box.
Wolfsburg’s hopes of a comeback gained even more momentum when Bayern were reduced to 10 men after 54 minutes. Joshua Kimmich was shown a second yellow card for a tactical foul.
Wolfsburg continued to push forward and on the hour mark missed a golden opportunity to score their second of the afternoon. Jakub Kaminski fired a terrific cross into Ridle Baku who could only power his free header directly at Sommer.
In the 73rd minute Bayern ruthlessly punished Wolfsburg for missing chances by scoring their fourth of the game as Jamal Musiala slalomed past several players before firing an effort past Casteels. It was a superb goal from the talented 19-year-old.
Wolfsburg though refused to go away and in the 81st minute Mattias Svanberg pulled another one back to make it 4-2 with just under 10 minutes to play.
However, Bayern held on to move a point ahead of Union Berlin at the top of the Bundesliga.
TALKING POINT – RUTHLESS BAYERN
If you judged the game purely off statistics without seeing the scoreline, you would be forgiven for thinking it was Wolfsburg who picked up all three points at full time.
They had 2.56 xG to Bayern’s 0.54, 22 shots to Bayern’s nine and four big chances to Bayern’s zero. However, Bayern’s ruthlessness meant that they left with the points and the hosts were left wondering how they let this one get away from them.
After three consecutive 1-1 draws where they managed a combined 46 shots, Bayern were far more efficient – scoring four goals from just four shots on target. Nagelsmann’s side return to the top of the Bundesliga thanks to this clinical display.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KINGSLEY COMAN (BAYERN)
Coman only played 55 minutes, coming off shortly after Bayern had went down to 10 men, but for the time he was on the pitch he was superb. His two goals in five minutes fired Bayern into the lead and he remained a threat throughout. He looked to stretch the pitch on the left-hand side and use his trickery to get the Bavarians into attacking areas. A solid performance from the 26-year-old.
PLAYER RATINGS
WOLFSBURG: Casteels 5, Lacroix 5, Bornauw 6, Van de Ven 7, Baku 6, Svenberg 7, Arnold 6, Nmecha 6, Otavio 7, Wimmer 6, Wind 7 SUBS: Gerhardt 6, Kaminski 8, Paredes 6, Marmoush 6, Nmecha 6
BAYERN: Sommer 6, Davies 7, de Ligt 7, Pavard 7, Cancelo 7, Kimmich 5, Goretzka 6, Coman 9, Musiala 8, Sane 6, Muller 7 SUBS: Wanner 5, Blind 6, Stanisic, Tel 6, Gnabry 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
9′ GOAL – BAYERN MUNICH – That is a goal out of nothing but Bayern are ahead! Kingsley Coman puts in a cross towards Thomas Muller and it somehow finds its way into the back of the net!
14′ GOAL – BAYERN MUNICH – That is a SUPERB goal from Kingsley Coman and Bayern are 2-0 up! Joao Cancelo fires over a cross to Kingsley Coman who strikes it first time on the volley into the back of the net!
19′ GOAL – BAYERN MUNICH – They’ve scored again! What a start to the match! Joshua Kimmich whips in a free-kick and Thomas Muller is on hand to head home past Casteels.
44′ GOAL – WOLFSBURG – It’s been coming and that is a lifeline for Wolfsburg! Paulo Otavio slides the ball into Jakub Kaminski who strikes it first time past Yann Sommer.
51′ A HUGE CHANCE FOR WOLFSBURG! – Ridle Baku fires a ball across the face of goal for Mattias Svanberg who can only blaze his effort over!
54′ RED CARD – BAYERN MUNICH – Joshua Kimmich is shown a second yellow card and Bayern are down to 10!
62′ BIG CHANCE FOR WOLFSBURG! – Kaminski plays in a brilliant cross to Baku who fires a free header straight at Sommer. That was a big chance wasted.
74′ GOAL – BAYERN MUNICH – What a goal! What a player! Jamal Musiala starts his run from near the half way line before powering forward past numerous Wolfsburg players before powering his effort past Koen Casteels.
81′ GOAL – WOLFSBURG – They’ve pulled another one back! A fine strike from Mattias Svanberg who thumps it past Sommer.
KEY STAT
23 – FC Bayern’s Jamal Musiala has been directly involved in 23 goals in his 27 competitive games this season (14 goals, 9 assists) – no Bundesliga player has more goal contributions (Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani also has 23). via Opta Franz.
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