FC Bayern Munich scored three early goals as the record Bundesliga champions beat VfL Wolfsburg 4-2 at a sold-out Volkswagen Arena on Sunday evening. Julian Nagelsmann’s side produced a ruthless attacking performance, taking an early 2-0 lead thanks to Kingsley Coman’s brace (9’, 14’) before Thomas Müller added a third (18’). Substitute Jakub Kaminski’s first Bundesliga goal reduced the arrears two minutes before half-time and Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich was shown a second yellow card nine minutes into the second half, but Jamal Musiala restored the visitors’ three-goal advantage (73’). Mattias Svanberg’s effort nine minutes from time was merely a consolation for Niko Kovac’s team, who return to action on Matchday 20 against FC Schalke 04 on Friday 10 February (kick-off 20:30 CET).
Coaches’ reaction
Niko Kovac: “At the end of the day we were 3-0 down from their first two shots, because Kingsley Coman’s cross was not meant to be a shot. We still did well and created some chances by defending high up the pitch. Unfortunately, we didn’t make the most of our first opportunities of the first half. That’s the quality Bayern Munich have and we didn’t quite cope with that today. The red card helped Bayern rather than help us. Although we still had really good chances, they defended deep and reduced the spaces. Bayern played a counter-attacking game with their rockets in attack. In the end we were very unlucky to lose today, but it won’t knock us off course.”
Julian Nagelsmann: “We scored three goals from our first three chances, which was obviously very good for us. After the red card in the second half it was a completely different game with a lot of fighting and deep defending. We got the crucial fourth goal through Jamal – two Wolfsburg players got in each other’s way and thankfully we were able to score. We then conceded for the second time, but overall the win is what counts. After everything that’s been going on, it’s very, very important. After getting the three points we can look forward.”
Line-ups and stats
VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Lacroix (30‘ Kaminski), Bornauw, van de Ven – Baku, Arnold (74’ Gerhardt), Otavio (66’ Paredes), F. Nmecha, Svanberg – Wimmer (66’ Marmoush), Wind (74’ L. Nmecha)
Subs: Pervan (GK), Cozza, Guilavogui, Waldschmidt
FC Bayern München: Sommer – Cancelo (78‘ Blind), Pavard, de Ligt, Davies – Goretzka, Kimmich, Sane (60‘ Stanisic), Musiala (78‘ Wanner), Coman (55‘ Gnabry) – T. Müller (60’ Tel)
Subs: Ulreich (GK), Schenk (Tor), Sarr
Goals: 0-1 Coman (9‘), 0-2 Coman (14‘), 0-3 T. Müller (18‘), 1-3 Kaminski (43‘), 1-4 Musiala (73‘), 2-4 Svanberg (81‘)
Yellow cards: Otavio, Bornauw / Sane, Goretzka, Wanner, Tel
Red card: Kimmich (54‘)
Referee: Harm Osmers (Hannover)
Attendance: 30.,00 at Volkswagen Arena (sold out)
