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Jamal Musiala after the 4-1
Photo: Maja Hitij / Getty Images
FC Bayern Munich fended off the attacks of their pursuers with a 4:2 (3:1) win at VfL Wolfsburg and remains at the top of the table.
After three draws in a row at the start of the year, FC Bayern traveled to Wolfsburg with personnel problems.
Among other things, Dayot Upamecano and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting fell out after the comfortable cup success in Mainz, Thomas Müller played in the striker, João Cancelo, on loan from Manchester City at the end of January, celebrated his Bundesliga debut.
However, the man of the first quarter of an hour was Kingsley Coman: The French World Cup runner-up brought a cross from the left corner of the penalty area in the direction of the six-yard box.
There Müller irritated Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels with his long leg and the ball slipped into the goal at the far corner (9th minute).
If the 26-year-old's first goal was a bit random, the second was intentional - and beautiful at that.
Cancelo crossed the Wolfsburg defense from the right wing and Coman volleyed the ball past Casteels on the right (14').
The hosts, who had moved up to seventh place after a botched start to the season, were only chasing the Munich team.
Wolfsburg were also not present in standard situations: A free-kick cross from Joshua Kimmich headed back-up attacker Müller into the goal, Kevin Lacroix let him do it (19').
Wolfsburg have never been 3-0 down in the Bundesliga this early.
Wolfsburg coach Niko Kocav reacted: After 30 minutes, the game was over for Lacroix, Jakub Kaminski came on for him.
VfL now played with a back four instead of five and found stability through this change – and scored.
Shortly before half-time, substitute Kaminski scored from the inside left position.
It was the first goal of the season for the Pole, who came to Wolfsburg from Poznan in the summer of 2022.
The goal gave the Wolfsburg courage.
Micky van de Ven only found Alphonso Davies (50') after a corner from close range, then Mattias Svanberg shot over Yann Sommer's goal (52') from a promising position.
Kimmich's first sending off
In the 54th minute, Kimmich, who was under a load, prevented the hosts from counterattacking with a tactical foul, referee Harm Osmers decided on yellow-red.
It was the national player's first dismissal in the 220th Bundesliga game.
VfL continued to create chances, including Ridle beating Baku Sommer in the arms (61').
Musiala with a fantastic solo run
Then came the big performance by Jamal Musiala.
Far away from the Wolfsburg goal, he started his solo run, eluded numerous Wolfsburg players and then shot the ball powerfully into the bottom right corner (73').
The 19-year-old's tenth goal of the season was a world-class goal.
With the 17th Wolfsburg shot on goal, Svanberg reduced the lead to 2:4 from a inside right position (81st).
Wolfsburg will continue next Friday at bottom side Schalke 04 (8.30 p.m., TV: Dazn).
FC Bayern meets VfL Bochum the following day (3.30 p.m., TV: Sky) before the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 takes place at Paris Saint-Germain (February 14, 9 p.m., stream: Amazon Prime).
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