FC Bayern beat VfL Wolfsburg 5-0 on Saturday, reclaiming top spot in the Bundesliga table: an excellent basis for an enjoyable Christmas party. "We're top of the table again. I'd like to congratulate you," chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in his address at Munich city centre restaurant Hugo's, defining the motto for the evening: "Let's party!"
Mats Hummels was the only player to miss the party, reporting in sick. The others prepared for the party with a pleasant dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. It has been a "good week" for Bayern after all, said Rummenigge. The clear-cut victory over Wolfsburg was their fourth win on the bounce! "We won deservedly against Atlético and were clearly dominant against Wolfsburg too," the Bayern chairman said, speaking of an extremely positive development: "I think we have the consistency we need."
"Over the last few matches we've recovered the intensity we have to display," commented Thomas Müller, who was very satisfied with the performance over 90 minutes. Arjen Robben laid down a marker after the quarter-hour, netting a glorious angled drive. Robert Lewandowski soon doubled the lead. The Poland captain also scored the third goal, closing out the meeting early in the second half before Müller and Douglas Costa rounded off the scoring in FC Bayern's 650th Bundesliga home victory.
Excitement before the 'Christmas final'
"We're delighted with top spot," said Lewandowski, thinking of RB Leipzig's unexpected 1-0 defeat to Ingolstadt. The German record champions are now equal on points with the promoted side. However, the striker, who scored his 30th brace in the Bundesliga, focused on the Bavarians' own performance rather than others. "The way we played today is more important to us. It was a clear-cut victory." Skipper Lahm commented: "In the last few years we were always at the top during the winter break. It's a nice feeling, but it isn't over yet. We have two crucial games ahead of us."
"My gut feeling tells me we'll wrap it up before the winter break," an optimistic Müller said before the two final challenges of a year that was "very good in terms of both football and finances," praised Rummenigge. Victories over Darmstadt on 18 December and Leipzig on 21 December would ensure Bayern top the table during the break. The Munich men are already looking forward to the last home match against the Bundesliga newcomers. "We'll have a nice Christmas final here on 21 December, and we want to demonstrate we're the better team," declared Rummenigge.
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