Bayern Munich 2-1 VfL Wolfsburg
Bundesliga, Matchday 12
16/12/20
Robert Lewandowski passed yet another milestone scoring his 250th then 251st Bundesliga goals to lead Bayern to victory over Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg – who were unbeaten in the league (11) before the game – went ahead when Leroy Sane failed to clear allowing Maximilian Philipp to score.
It was a tall order for ‘The Wolves’ to hold on to victory having not won in twenty-three previous attempts in Munich.
Lewandowski finished with a header and a low drive from eight yards either side of half-time to get Hansi Flick’s boys back on track having relinquished the league lead to Leverkusen after two draws in the last three games.
The victory keeps Bayern second, one point behind Leverkusen, while Wolfsburg sit fifth, one point out of the Champions League spots.
Further articles
–Victory for BVB in Edin Tervic’s first game as interim boss after Favre’s sacking: Match report
–Chaos at Borussia Dortmund as head coach Favre sacked: Reaction and analysis
–Muller delight: record breaking appearance holder Thomas Muller gives Bundesliga a rare interview. Read what he said here, including his frustrations and delight
–Reaction and analysis: Fans call for Favre to go after dismal showing against Koln
1st half – question mark over Sane while Lewan goes to 250
The usually prudent Bayern Munich parted with a lot of money to prise Leroy Sane from Manchester City.
Sixty million pounds left the Bavarian capital for a player that showed many facets to what seems to be a growingly complex character.
While at the Etihad, Sane showed glimpses of form that rivalled the very best in the game. He also showed a petulance that brought about a break down in his relationship with coach Pep Guardiola and he demonstrated his susceptibility to injury, having been out for almost a year with a torn ACL.
Flick said this week he will give Sane time to rediscover his form, however on the initial showing against Wolfsburg it seems Sane has a long road to travel before he reaches the at times astronomical heights he hit at City.
The German international was far too lax when Gnabry played him in practically under the posts in the opening minutes of the match, allowing Jerome Roussillon to challenge, then, minutes later, Sane did something far more inexplicable, failing to clear a cross which allowed Wolfsburg to work the ball to Maxilmillian Philipp who opened the scoring.
It’s difficult to weigh up Bayern at the moment. On one hand you can say the reigning German and European champions are unbeaten in nine, on the other hand Bayern’s recent form seems to suggest a lull having drawn three of the last four in the league.
Hansi Flick’s side is always going to create chances. The perennial Thomas Muller, making his 556th appearance for the club, made a mess of a near post header on 10′ then Robert Lewandowski, about to enter the busiest period of his campaign as football award season begins, was smothered out of a six yard finish on 16′.
Flick looked perplexed at a stale Bayern Munich performance, but he always has the man to rely on. Not Sane, who blazed over from eighteen yards on 44 minutes, but Lewandowski, who expertly guided in Coman’s cross at the back post to draw the sides level and score his 250th Bundesliga goal.
2nd half – all about a certain number 9
The second half started rather bizarrely with Muller ending up on the deck tussling for the ball on the touchline and looking to have been kicked in the head by Wolfsburg’s Xavier Schlager, then minutes later the world returned to normal as the ball rippled the net off the boot of Lewandowski.
The Pole turned Maxence Lacroix inside out and finished empathically into the corner from eight yards to begin his quest of scoring another 250 Bundesliga goals.
It wasn’t vintage Bayern and Wolfsburg knew they weren’t out of it yet. Perhaps the cold played a part, clearly demonstrated by the returning Alphonso Davies warming up in full balaclava.
English fans take note – midfielder Jamal Musiala, currently playing for England U-21s, came on with twenty minutes to go for Serge Gnabry. If ever a future England star had a place to learn his trade training alongside Neuer, Muller and Lewandowski everyday.
Musiala wasn’t just ‘gaining experience’ but played a key role in helping Bayern to victory, deflecting Schlager’s effort wide of the post with his head five minutes before the end.
That was just after another great in the side Manuel Neuer saved Bayern, not once but twice in quick succession, the most notable block being a superb one handed palm to push away sub Bartosz Bialek’s powerful effort from six yards.
Man of the match: Robert Lewandowski
Lewan is about to get busy not only on the pitch but on the red carpet as he collects the plethora of awards so richly deserved. He’s already got the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year and won the Golden Player at the Golden Boy Awards earlier this week. Tomorrow he goes up against contemporaries Ronaldo and Messi for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award. All of this doesn’t seem to distract from his focus on the pitch. It’s 15 goals in 10 starts in the league and 24 in 21 against Wolfsburg. Unstoppable.
Bayern Munich, 4-1-4-1: Neuer (C), Boateng, Sule, Alaba, Hernandez, Coman, Muller, Lewandowski, Sane (->90′), Gnabry (->70′), Tolisso (->70′)
Subs: Nubel (GK), Pavard, Davies, Sarr, Costa (->90′), Choupo-Moting, Roca (->70′), Richards, Musiala (->70′)
Wolfsburg, 4-2-3-1: Casteels (C), Lacroix, Brekalo (->70′), Weghorst, Roussillon (->86′), Philipp (->86′), Mbabu, Baku (->70′), Schlager, Arnold, Pongracic (->78′)
Subs: Pervan (GK), Octavio (->86′), Klaus, Bialek (->70′), Guilavogui (->78′), Gerhardt, Ginczek (->86′), Victor (->70′)
Goals: Philipp 5’, Lewandowski 45+1’, 51’
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 