Two goals from Leon Goretzka helped Bayern Munich to a narrow 3-2 win over Wolfsburg, sending the Bavarian giants seven points clear at the top of the table. Bundesliga table.
The hosts have seen champions Bayer Leverkusen step up their game in recent weeks, seemingly determined to retain the crown they won last season by going unbeaten.
Bayern they started the game on the front foot and were rewarded for their effort on 20 minutes when Goretzka, again ahead from a side-kick, advanced unchallenged towards the Wolfsburg penalty area before firing low beyond the reach of Kamil Grabara.
But that joy was short-lived as a napping Michael Olise allowed Mohamed Amoura to tip over Manuel Neuer four minutes later.
The former Crystal Palace playmaker more than made up for a lapse in concentration five minutes before the break, restoring Bayern’s lead with more than an assist from Grabara. Olise jumped over several challenges outside the Wolfsburg penalty area, and his shot should have been easily saved by the Polish goalkeeper. But somehow he allowed the effort of sliding to wriggle out of his grip, rolling tamely over the rope.
Joshua Kimmich ruled out VAR for the third time before half-time, but it didn’t matter as Bayern extended their lead just after the hour mark. Olise sent an excellent free-kick into Wolfsburg’s box, where the onrushing, unmarked Goretzka headed inside Grabara’s post.
Bayern had a total of 25 shots, ten of which were on target, but they threatened to undermine their dominance by letting Wolfsburg back into the game in fading fervor.
Tiago Tomas’ wonderful jinking home, which really should have been stopped by Bayern’s tactical offense, allowed Amourio to pull away from Dayot Upamecano and he produced another clinical finish beyond Neuer to set up the final on the stand.
However, Bayern held on, saw off the game and recorded their 14th win of the season.
|
Position / Player |
Evaluation |
|---|---|
|
GK: Manuel Neuer |
6.8/10 |
|
RB: Konrad Laimer |
6.5/10 |
|
CB: Dayot Upamecano |
7.3/10 |
|
CB: Kim Min-jae |
6.8/10 |
|
LB: Alphonso Davies |
6.9/10 |
|
CM: Joshua Kimmich |
8.3/10 |
|
CM: Leon Goretzka |
9.0/10 |
|
RM: Leroy Sane |
8.2/10 |
|
in the morning: Michael Olise |
9.0/10 |
|
LM: Kingsley Coman |
7.8/10 |
|
CF: Harry Kane |
7.5/10 |
|
UNDER: Serge Gnabry (67′ for Sane) |
6.5/10 |
|
UNDER: Jamal Musiala (75′ for Coman) |
5.9/10 |
Subs not used: Sven Ulreich (GK), Eric Dier, Josip Stanisic, Raphael Guerreiro, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Thomas Muller, Mathys Tel
Player of the match: Leon Goretzka (Bayern)
READ THE LATEST NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MATCH REACTIONS
