Centre-back turned playmaker: in FC Bayern's comfortable 4-0 win at home to VfL Wolfsburg to end the first half of the season, Dayot Upamecano not only made a key contribution to the clean sheet, but also impressed in particular with his attacking qualities. With the visitors sitting extremely deep, the defender was involved in and around the penalty area.
First goal for Bayern
No chance for goalkeeper Koen Casteels: Dayot Upamecano heads in the second goal.
It was the 57th minute, when Upamecano lurked in the six-yard box and headed in a chipped cross from Thomas Müller, who was celebrating his 400th Bundesliga appearance. This was the most successful of his 28 forays into the final third in total, with only Lucas Hernandéz registering more (30). It was Upamecano's maiden goal for the German record champions. "I'm very happy about scoring my first goal for Bayern. It was a nice assist from Thomas, I just had to head it," smiled the France international.
His coach also had praise for his No. 2. "He was very disciplined in his covering, which is very important against such deep-lying opponents. He played very well, the chip to Jamal was also class," said Julian Nagelsmann.
Playmaking duo in central defence
Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernandéz celebrate together after the former's goal to make it 2-0.
His touches of the ball illustrate how much of an influence he had for Bayern on Friday night. Upamecano had 138 across the 90 minutes plus stoppage time, signifcantly more than any other player on the field. Along with his goal, the 23-year-old played an impressive 48 passes in the final third - again, only surpassed by centre-back partner Hernandéz with 51. Despite all this attacking play, he didn't neglect his primary job, winning the ball 14 times - more than anyone else. "I'm also very pleased that we kept a clean sheet."
Already equalled goal involvements for Leipzig
One stat in particular shows how Upamecano has developed in his time in Munich: in his 15 Bundesliga appearances so far, he's already posted five goal involvements (one goal, four assists) - as many as he managed in 112 league games for Leipzig. Scoring goals and playing in teammates - exactly what's expected of a playmaker. Upamecano pulled off both in outstanding fashion against Wolfsburg.
The reaction to the win against Wolfsburg:
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