Musiala sparkles as Reds overcome Wolves

FC Bayern beat VfL Wolfsburg 3-2 on Saturday, extending their cushion at the top of the table to seven points. Jamal Musiala opened the scoring and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting doubled Bayern's lead. Wout Weghorst pulled one back, but Musiala rounded off his brace before half-time. Maximilian Philipp's goal after the interval meant Bayern were on tenterhooks in the second half, but Munich ultimately saw it through and took three crucial points.

The Bavarians lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, Lucas Hernández and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba featured in a twin holding role behind Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Musiala, with Choupo-Moting up front. Kingsley Coman and Javi Martínez took over from Musiala and Sané towards the end. There was concern for Hernández when the Frenchman hobbled off the pitch after a challenge, Tanguy Nianzou coming on.

Dominant first half

The match got off to a lively start with both sides looking to attack, Choupo-Moting testing keeper Koen Casteels and Ridle Baku drawing a fine save from Neuer, but Bayern asserted their authority now. 14 minutes had been played when Musiala scored the opener. Davies charged down the left and was closed out, but the Germany international snapped up the loose ball, sidestepped three opponents and fired home. Musiala had initiated the move himself, putting Bayern in charge before putting them in front.

Munich twisted the knife when Casteels came out of his goal but failed to control an Alaba chip, inviting Choupo-Moting to tap in. The very industrious Sané fired just wide, rifled over the bar minutes later and miscued another attempt before Wolfsburg pulled one back, Weghorst beating Neuer from 20 yards. But Bayern replied immediately when a Müller cross found Musiala, who rose high and headed inside the far post.

On tenterhooks

Musiala almost bagged a hat-trick but saw his effort scrambled off the line. Wolfsburg got a grip now and found the net when a Paulo Otávio cross found Philipp, who tapped in. Choupo-Moting put an effort wide, Neuer making a strong save to deny Weghorst at the other end.

Casteels saved from Davies and Boateng but the away side pushed for a late equaliser, Jérôme Roussillon blasting wide. A deflected Kimmich free-kick hit the side-netting and Casteels proved equal to a Coman header, and Bayern sealed the victory, taking a big step towards the championship title.

The result takes the German record champions onto 68 points from 29 matches, seven clear of Leipzig. The Bavarians will be back in action on Tuesday, when they entertain Bayer Leverkusen.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen