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. 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 started the game on the front foot and were rewarded for their effort in the 20th minute when Goretzka, back in favor after a spell off the wing, advanced unchallenged into the Wolfsburg penalty area before firing a low kick beyond the grasp of Kamil Grabara.
But that joy was short-lived as a sleepy Michael Olise allowed Mohamed Amoura to head home Manuel Neuer four minutes later.
The former Crystal Palace playmaker more than made up for his lack of concentration five minutes before the break, restoring Bayern's lead with more than a helping hand from Grabara. Olise overcame a couple of challenges outside the Wolfsburg penalty area and his shot should have been easily dealt with by the Polish keeper. But he somehow let the effort fumble, rolling easily over the line.
Joshua Kimmich had a third ruled out by VAR before half-time but it didn't matter as Bayern extended their lead just on the hour mark. Olise struck a delicious free-kick into the Wolfsburg area, where a forward and unmarked Goretzka headed home a header off the inside of Grabara's post.
Bayern had 25 shots in total, ten of which were on target, but they threatened to undermine their supremacy by letting Wolfsburg back into the game on the dead embers.
Tiago Tomas' superb header, which should really have been stopped by a Bayern tactical foul, allowed Amouri to get past Dayot Upamecano and he produced another clinical finish beyond Neuer to set up a final tribune.
However, Bayern held on, seeing out the game to record their 14th win of the season.
|
Position / Player |
ASSESSMENT |
|---|---|
|
GC: 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 |
|
AM: 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) |
6.010 |
Subs not used: Sven Ulreich (GK), Eric Dier, Josip Stanisic, Raphael Guerreiro, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Thomas Muller, Mathys Tel