Bayern win first league game of the year as Muller equals record
Wolfsburg were looking for a fourth successive home victory, but cherished memories of 5-0 and 6-0 wins soon dissipated in the face of a vicious Bayern attack. In fact, the visitors didn’t even need a clear opportunity to grab an early lead, doing so with just nine minutes gone, when Kingsley Coman cut inside and bent an inswinging cross into the vicinity of Thomas Müller. More loiterer than Raumdeuter on this occasion, he did enough to put off Koen Casteels, and the ball found its way in without a touch, silencing the home fans and sending the away end at the Volkswagen Arena into raptures.
Despite enduring a preceding run of three straight 1-1 draws in the Bundesliga, Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann could surely sense some of his side’s old magic coming to the fore, as he sought a maiden victory as a visiting coach at this venue. Those feelings projected onto the pitch too, and just as Die Wölfe searched for a reply, Bundesliga debutant and January signing João Cancelo swung in a fantastic cross to Coman, who took the ball on full-volley and steered it into the net to double Bayern’s lead.
Back to their relentless selves, Bayern made it three within 20 minutes of kick-off through Müller, after he rose highest to meet a set piece from Joshua Kimmich. The former world champion’s execution left Casteels with no chance, making his landmark appearance for the Bavarians all the more memorable and almost certainly sealing a quick victory. However, the hosts pulled one back just before HT, after some quick passing allowed substitute Jakub Kamiński enough space to strike across Yann Sommer and into the bottom corner for his first Bundesliga goal.
Niko Kovač had clearly inspired his side in the dressing room, and they came out of the tunnel with a vengeance. Chances for Micky van de Ven, Mattias Svanberg and Ridle Baku went begging, and Die Weißgrünen were given a boost by Joshua Kimmich’s second yellow card just before the hour mark. Wolfsburg were dominant with the numerical advantage, but Bayern made it 4-1 with 20 minutes remaining, when Jamal Musiala showed his outstanding quality to duck and dive through the defence before finishing emphatically past Casteels.
Determined to at least lose with pride, Wolfsburg replied quickly when the ball fell to Svanberg in the box, and the Swede smashed the ball into the near post for 4-2. It was too little too late for the hosts though, even with Wolfsburg striker Lukas Nmecha still having time to net a disallowed goal. While Bayern were not at their best, the result means that they ascend back to the top of the Bundesliga table. Yet, their lead remains at just one point following Union Berlin’s win on Saturday, meaning that their mission is far from accomplished.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)