Two goals from Leon Goretzka helped Bayern Munich to a narrow 3-2 win over Wolfsburg, leaving 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, looking determined to retain the crown they won last season by remaining unbeaten.
Bayern The front foot opened the game and were rewarded for their efforts on 20 minutes when Goretzka, favored after a spell out on the flank, advanced unchallenged towards Wolfsburg’s penalty area before rifling a low shot beyond the grasp of Kamil Grabara.
But that joy was short-lived as a sinking Michael Olis allowed Mohamed Amoura to head past Manuel Neuer four minutes later.
The former Crystal Palace playmaker made up for his lapse in concentration five minutes before the break, restoring Bayern’s lead with more than an assist from Grabara. Ollis parried a couple of challenges outside Wolfsburg’s penalty area and his shot should have been easily dealt with by the Polish goalkeeper. But he somehow let the skimming effort slip out of his grasp, rolling well over the line.
Joshua Kimmich was denied a third by VAR before half-time, but it didn’t matter as Bayern extended their advantage just before the hour mark. Ollis whipped a delicious free-kick into the Wolfsburg box, where a flurry, and unmarked, Goretzka headed a header inside Grabara’s post.
Bayern had a total of 25 shots, ten of which were on target, but they threatened to undermine their supremacy by allowing Wolfsburg back into the game in dying limbs.
Thiago Tomás’ wonderful jinking home, which really should have been prevented by a tactical Bayern foul, allowed Amori to stay away from Deyot Upamecano, and he produced another clinical finish beyond Neuer to set up a grandstand finale.
Bayern held on, though, seeing out the game to record their 14th win of the season.
Position / Player |
rating |
---|---|
GK: Manuel Neuer |
6.8/10 |
RB: Conrad Lamar |
6.5/10 |
CB: Dayot Upamecano |
7.3/10 |
CB: Kim Min-ja |
6.8/10 |
LB: Alphonso Davis |
6.9/10 |
Chief Minister: Joshua Kimmich |
8.3/10 |
Chief Minister: Leon Goretzka |
9.0/10 |
RM: Sane Leroy |
8.2/10 |
AM: Michael Ollis |
9.0/10 |
LM: Kingsley Coman |
7.8/10 |
CF: Harry Kane |
7.5/10 |
Sub: Serge Gnabry (67′ for Sen) |
6.5/10 |
Sub: Jamal Musiala (75′ for Common) |
6.010 |
Subs not used: Sven Ulrich (GK), Eric Dier, Josip Stanisic, Rafael Guerrero, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Thomas Muller, Mathis Tell