On-fire Reds thrash Wolves

FC Bayern reclaimed top spot in the Bundesliga table on Saturday after thrashing VfL Wolfsburg 5-0. Arjen Robben, two-goal Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller and Douglas Costa scored in an utterly one-sided contest. Lewandowski built on the mesmeric display he turned in the last time Bayern entertained the Wolves, and Müller scored his first league goal this term after a 999 minute Bundesliga drought.

The home team started with Manuel Neuer in goal behind a back four featuring Philipp Lahm, Javi Martínez, David Alaba and Juan Bernat. Arturo Vidal and milestone man Thiago, who made his 100th competitive appearance wearing the Bayern kit, filled the holding role behind Robben, Müller and Franck Ribéry, with Lewandowski as an orthodox centre-forward.

Carlo Ancelotti reverted back to the 4-2-3-1 formation that worked well against Mainz last weekend, making four chanes to the team that saw off Atlético on Tuesday. Skipper Lahm and Martínez replaced Rafinha and Hummels at the back, with Müller and Ribéry coming in for Douglas Costa and Renato Sanches. Xabi Alonso, Costa and Rafinha replaced Vidal, Ribéry and Thiago in the closing stages.

Wolfsburg's bogeyman Lewy

The 75,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw the Reds signal their intent from the off. Visiting netminder Diego Benaglio performed miracles to save Bernat's close-range effort after seven minutes. Bayern camped out in Wolfsburg's final third, and their relentless early pressure paid off when Robben found the net with a sumptuous angled drive from the edge of the box after the quarter-hour. Lewandowski soon doubled the lead, netting from point-blank range after a Vidal effort was blocked.

Bayern eased off a little now, but the Wolves' attacking unit remained toothless. Müller connected with a Lewandowski cross after the half-hour but his header went wide. Ribéry then raced clear on the left, setting up Lewandowski, who saw his effort scrambled clear by Jeffrey Bruma.

Wolfsburg were more aggressive after the interval, but shortly before the hour mark Lewandowski closed out the meeting, deflecting Müller's 20-yard drive over the line. It was a recurring nightmare for the visitors as the last time they travelled to face Bayern they lost 5-1, and Lewandowski scored all of the Bayern goals in no more than nine minutes.

Maiden goal for Thomas

The Allianz Arena clocks showed 75 minutes had been played when the crowd rose to hail the fourth goal. Müller scored his maiden goal in this season's Bundesliga campaign, tapping home a misplaced Robben effort and celebrating in relief and triumph in front of the home faithful who knew his long spell without success was over now. Costa rounded off the scoring with five minutes to go, hammering home a powerful drive from 20 yards.

The result means Bayern have 33 points from 14 matches, reclaiming top spot in the Bundesliga table as RB Leipzig lost to Ingolstadt. The Bavarians are back in action next Sunday, when they travel to face Darmstadt in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Gregor Salmen

FC Bayern - VfL Wolfsburg 5-0 (H-T: 2-0)