Wolfsburg vs Bayern – Bundesliga – Match Report

Manuel Veth –

Wolfsburg vs Bayern started with a surprise as the Wolves took an early lead in the game. But Bayern were not faced by the early deficit and thanks to a last-minute penalty goal by Robert Lewandowski turned the game around.

• Robert Lewandowski scored his 20th goal of the season to win the game for Bayern.
• Bayern come back from a deficit to win the match.
• Arjen Robben missed a penalty.

Wolfsburg vs Bayern

Goals: 1-0 (Daniel Didavi, 8′), 1-1 (Sandro Wagner, 65′), 1-2 (Lewandowski, 90+4′)

With the job of head coach Martin Schmidt on the line, Bayern started this game aggressively, and Javi Martinez could have scored early on with a wonderful bicycle kick that was blocked by Wolfsburg defender Robin Knoche. As a result, everyone expected the usual storyline where Bayern was going to dominate the game and collect three easily won points. But Wolfsburg had different plans. In the eighth minute, Maximilian Arnold played a short corner to Yunus Malli, who in turn crossed the ball into the box where Daniel Didavi had escaped his defender to score with a header from inside the six-yard box.

The goal was exactly what Wolfsburg were hoping for. The Wolves were now able to sit deep and aggressively defend while trying to hit Bayern on the counter-attack. Bayern head coach Jupp Heynckes rotated his squad for this game, and as a result, Bayern appeared disjointed at times, lacking the creativity to break through a well organised Wolfsburg defence. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, was more than happy to absorb the pressure and had little to no problem to deal with a Bayern side lacking inspiration.

Sandro Wagner and Bayern could not find a way through Wolfsburg’s defence in the first half. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Bayern started the second half more aggressively and in the 52nd minute were given a soft penalty after Koen Casteels dropped a short-range attempt by Sandro Wagner and Corentin Tolisso tumbled after a one-on-one situation with Renato Steffen. It was at best a soft penalty, and justice was served when Casteels stopped Arjen Robben’s shot. Overall, Bayern seemed more straightforward in their attacking runs, and it was therefore only a question of time for Bayern to score the equaliser, which came after Thomas Müller was brought on in the 62nd minute for Thiago. The midfielder had an instant impact winning the ball in midfield he spotted Arjen Robben on the right wing, and unopposed the Dutchman was able to play across to the centre of the box where Sandro Wagner used his big frame to get the ball over the line.

The goal changed little in the way the two teams approached the game. Wolfsburg defended with six men in the back trying to spring striker Divock Origi on the counter-attack. Bayern head coach Heynckes in the meantime decided to go for all three points bringing on David Alaba and Robert Lewandowski. But despite the extra firepower on the pitch Bayern simply lacked the inspiration to break through a resolute Wolfsburg defence, which seemed more than happy with the one point gained against the Rekordmeister. And Wolfsburg had a point all but wrapped up until Gian-Luca Itter needlessly brought down Robben in the box in the 90th minute. Robert Lewandowski stepped up and scored the game-winner for Bayern.

Wolfsburg vs Bayern – Man of the Match

In what was a trap game Corentin Tolisso was one of the few players that stood out. In true box-to-box midfield fashion, Tolisso was aggressive going forward and reliable in his defensive tasks. Tolisso created the penalty that was missed by Robben and was part of every attacking play in the second half.

Wolfsburg vs Bayern – Corentin Tolisso was the player of the game. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Wolfsburg vs Bayern – Talking Point

Rumours ahead of the match had it that sporting director Olaf Rebbe and head coach Martin Schmidt could be without a job at the end of the matchday should the Wolves lose the match. Wolfsburg were well organised at times and put in the work rate necessary to collect at least one point against der Rekordmeister. But an individual mistake by Gian-Luca Itter meant that the point was lost, which could make the next couple days interesting in the Autostadt.

Wolfsburg vs Bayern – Match Stats

• Thomas Müller made his 422nd appearance in all competitions for Bayern (same as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge), only 11 players have played more games for Bayern since their promotion in 1965.
• For the first time since the 2012 Champions League final did Arjen Robben miss a penalty for Bayern.
• Bayern have now won 13 games in all competitions, a record for head coach Jupp Heynckes.

Wolfsburg vs Bayern – Line-ups

VfL Wolfsburg:

Formation: 4-3-3

Casteels – Jung (William 78′), Knoche, Bruma, G. Itter -Guilavogui, Arnold, Didavi – Steffen (Osihmen, 83′), Origi, Malli

Coach: Heiko Herrlich

Bayern München:

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Ulreich – Juan Bernat, Süle, Javi Martínez, Rafinha – Thiago (Müller, 62′), Rudy, Tolisso – Ribery (Alaba, 65′), Wagner (Lewandowski, 79′), Robben

Coach: Jupp Heynckes

Manuel Veth is the owner and Editor in Chief of the Futbolgrad Network. He also works as a freelance journalist and social media editor at Bundesliga.com. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which will be available in print soon. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada.  Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth. Or contact him manuelveth@futbolgrad.com.