Bayern Munich fended off Union Berlin’s attack on the top of the table in the Bundesliga and remains in first place after 19 match days.
On Sunday, Munich celebrated a 4-2 (3-1) win at VfL Wolfsburg and remain the leader with 40 points, one point ahead of Union Berlin. The Munich team first ignited the turbo on Sunday (February 5th, 2023). Three of the first four shots on goal were successful, and goals from Kingsley Coman (9th, 14th) and Thomas Müller (19th) quickly made it 3-0.
Wolfsburg came close with Jakub Kaminski’s first Bundesliga goal (44′) just before the break. But although the Lower Saxony built up pressure in the second half and played in the majority after yellow-red against Joshua Kimmich (54th), they could no longer come close. Jamal Musiala made the decision with a great solo (73′). The 2:4 by Mattias Svanberg (81st) came too late for Wolfsburg.
VfL conceded their third competitive defeat in a row and in seventh place with a further 29 points is five points behind the international starting places.
Coman, Coman, Müller – Bayern strikes
After a committed Wolfsburg start, the guests struck mercilessly and quickly. Coman first scored with a cross that turned into the far corner to make it 1-0 and then with a strong direct acceptance of a Cancelo cross to make it 2-0. Finally, Müller nodded a Kimmich free kick for the third goal within ten minutes.
It took VfL quite a while to recover from that. The “Wolves” tried quite cleverly to cut off the Munich build-up game via Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich through close coverage. But the Munich team still managed to free themselves again and again in the switching game, especially via the outside.
“Wolves” after Kaminski-Tor with more bite
Shortly before the break, the hosts also had a quick moment: Kaminski played a nice one-two with Paulo Otavio via hablinks into the penalty area and hit the far corner to make it 1:3. And that set the tone for the second half.
VfL came out of the break with a lot of energy. The Bayern defense was just able to block an attempt by Micky van de Ven (50th) after a corner. Shortly thereafter, Svanberg missed the chance for the second goal from close range (52nd). When Kimmich then saw the “traffic light card” for a jersey pluck against Maximilian Arnold, Wolfsburg finally had the advantage.
Musiala per dream solo for the preliminary decision
However, Munich defended skillfully and actively when outnumbered, so that coach Niko Kovac’s team did not get through to the goal for a long time. Musiala made Bayern hit number four – and how. The youngster prevailed alone against five Wolfsburg players and scored 4:1 with a shot from the inside right from 14 meters.
Svanberg’s goal heralded another hectic final phase. Substitute Yannick Gerhardt scored, but referee Harm Osmers took the supposed 3:4 back after video evidence of a foul in the making (85th). Svanberg tested Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer again with a deflected shot in injury time (90+3). Despite 19:9 shots on goal and a lot of commitment, Wolfsburg had to admit defeat in the end.
On Matchday 20, VfL Wolfsburg will go to bottom side FC Schalke 04 (Friday, February 10th, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.). FC Bayern welcomes VfL Bochum a day later (3:30 p.m.).