Germany: Bundesliga
FT
4 - 0
(1 - 0)
FC Bayern
Wolfsburg
T. Müller (7), D. Upamecano (57), L. Sané (59), R. Lewandowski (87)
By Ultan Corcoran@UltanCorcoran

Bayern Munich defeat Wolfsburg 4-0 in dominant fashion

Musiala and Muller headlined the FCB show, while Lewandowski clinched record-breaking 43rd calendar year goal in routine win.
Bayern star Jamal Musiala.
Bayern star Jamal Musiala.
The curtain raiser for the Bundesliga’s Matchday 17 fixtures was contested by the Herbstmeister of the 2021-22 season, Bayern Munich, and VfL Wolfsburg. While Bayern have been in scintillating form of late having drubbed Stuttgart 5-0 midweek, their opponents tonight had experienced the polar opposite of that. The team from Lower Saxony were on the hunt for their first victory after a run of seven winless matches across all competitions.

The opening goal of the tie came in the 7th minute after a long-range Gnabry shot was poorly dealt with by Casteels given the Belgian goalkeeper’s ability. Thomas Müller found himself in acres of space to routinely tap home the loose ball on his 400th Bundesliga appearance. Wolfsburg almost replied immediately when Weghorst found himself in on goal, however the 6’4’’ frame of Manuel Neuer reacted brilliantly to smother the shot.

Jamal Musiala had a good chance on 25 minutes as he jinked in behind the Wolfsburg rear-guard, however the youngster deputising in a deeper, Kimmich-like midfield role could only drag his effort wide of the left-hand post. Weghorst had another decent opportunity on 33 minutes. Gerhardt whipped in a dangerous ball from the left touchline to the Dutchman who only just misjudged his effort, skewing the ball away from the target.

Ten minutes into the second half and Bayern created their next best opportunity of the night. Lewandowski nutmegged Bornauw with a perfect ball teeing up Musiala, but Casteels did much better to save this time around. Bayern then did score a second in the 57th minute after French centre-half Dayot Upamecano deftly flicked the ball to the far corner. The Bavarian giants made it 3-0 two minutes later through Sane who curled in a beautiful goal from just outside the box.

Some beautiful one touch football from Der FCB almost allowed Lewandowski to score his first of the night with just under 15 minutes to play. The Polish star fired a precise volley towards goal, however Casteels adjusted brilliantly by sticking out a reactionary left leg to divert the effort out for a corner. This didn’t deter the Bayern No.9 for a moment, as three minutes from time Lewandowski made it 4-0 after he latched onto Musiala’s headed pass. That was the record-breaking 43rd goal in the 2021 Bundesliga calendar year for the Polish striker, smashing previous holder Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally.

Nagelsmann’s Bayern head into the winter break with firm control over 1st place at the Bundesliga summit. Die Wolfe on the other hand, find themselves at the opposite end of the table with time to ponder how to turn things around when the league resumes in early January.

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