Coming into the first competitive fixture of 2026, there was much talk about it being a potentially defining match for the busy weeks and months to come, quickly leading up to the first trophies of the season. Perhaps the brief winter break had knocked Bayern’s flow from a superb first part of the campaign? “It really doesn’t matter how many points we have. We start from zero. I think we all do this job because we want to win titles,” Vincent Kompany stressed again.
“We start from zero”
The 5-0 friendly win over Red Bull Salzburg during the week suggested that the team hadn’t lost any of their rhythm while recharging their batteries on holidays. The team then did far more than confirm that in their first competitive outing of 2026, but instead hammered the point home with an 8-1 thrashing of Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena. “I just think we really wanted the win, were more up for it. I think that was the key thing,” said Tom Bischof after he got to start in holding midfield for the first time alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic.
Not a one-sided 90 minutes
That isn’t to say that Wolfsburg were played off the park for 90 minutes. In fact, the struggling Wolves looked to have arrived with confidence following their six-day training camp in Lisbon. They weren’t in Munich to park the bus, as their new head coach Daniel Bauer stated. They came to play, but ultimately they suffered the fate of so many visitors to the Allianz Arena. “It’s what we wanted on a cold January day to get us going. It came off and we’re all very happy,” said Manuel Neuer.
Tireless efforts against leaky defence
Wolfsburg posed a threat a number of times in the first half, looking to press high, but they found themselves behind inside five minutes when Luis Diaz forced an own goal. The Wolves did pounce in the 13th minute, though, as Bayern conceded for the fourth Bundesliga home game in a row. However, the visitors never looked completely assured at the back, which Bayern took full advantage of as they got up to full speed in the freezing winter temperatures.
Olise’s remarkable record
The reward came after half an hour when the superb Michael Olise crossed for Diaz, who headed in the lead from close range. The Colombian has now scored his last three goals with his head and is up to nine Bundesliga strikes. Nevertheless, the four attempts Bayern had in the first half was their lowest total this season, compared to Wolfsburg’s six efforts. As for Olise, he marked his 50th Bundesliga appearance – he’s played every possible game since joining in summer 2024 – with his 24th assist. No player had ever provided so many assists in their first 50 games since detailed data collection began in the Bundesliga in 2004/05. And the France international would increase that total further as he continued to torment a tiring Wolfsburg defence.
Superb wing play
It was wingers Diaz and Olise in particular who caused the most issues with their movement, dribbling and shooting from wide positions. The latter got the Bavarians’ third when he produced his best Arjen Robben impression with a curling shot after cutting inside. He then forced a second own goal when trying to set up Diaz to take the game beyond Wolfsburg early in the second period. Substitute Raphael Guerreiro tapped in a fifth in the 68th minute.
Right in the top corner
Bayern’s second-half dominance was hardly challenged as Wolfsburg slowly fell apart at the Allianz Arena. Harry Kane rubbed more salt in the wounds when allowed to shoot on the edge of the area and curl an unstoppable effort perfectly into the top right corner for the sixth of the evening. It was the 14th time the England captain had recorded both a goal and an assist in a Bundesliga game for Bayern.
More than just encouragement
In the end, it was much more than just a relieving, encouraging opening victory for Bayern in 2026. The 8-1 scoreline was another statement of brutal efficiency and enthusiasm, merciless dominance and strength. Never in its glorious history had Bayern opened a year with such a big result. The omens for a great end to the season couldn't be better. However, “There is still a long way to go for the guys,” warned Kompany. But the coach did not hide his particular delight: “It’s those moments where we’re 5-1, 6-1 or 7-1 up but keep going, keep pressing and trying to score more goals. I really like that.” And then there's that special mix. “Youngsters coming on and showing what they can do, but we don’t lose that Bayern face,” the Belgian added. An identity that will continue to inspire in 2026.
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