Bayern extend Bundesliga lead with 8-1 Wolfsburg thrashing

FC Bayern got off to a perfect start to the year when they downed Wolfsburg 8-1 to extend their lead in the Bundesliga table. Kilian Fischer put through his own goal and Dzenan Pejčinović levelled the scores before Luis Díaz restored Bayern’s lead in the first half. Vincent Kompany’s men then ran riot after the restart, with Michael Olise making it three before Moritz Jenz produced another own goal. Raphaël Guerreiro, Harry Kane, again Olise and Leon Goretzka all found the net to lay down a marker. 

Bayern started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Josip Stanišić in defence. Aleksandar Pavlović and Tom Bischof anchored a midfield featuring Olise, Lennart Karl and Díaz, with Kane up front. Goretzka, Guerreiro, Hiroki Ito, Wisdom Mike and senior debutant Felipe Chávez took over from Pavlović, Karl, Upamecano, Kane and Olise in the second half.

2-1 up at half-time

Bayern took an early lead when Díaz’s cross from the byline took a deflection, with Fischer putting through his own goal under pressure from Olise. The Colombian also fired an effort just wide, but the bold visitors levelled when they won the ball and Lovro Majer released Pejčinović, who beat Neuer.

Christian Eriksen and Majer fired over and Munich saw a number of shots blocked at the other end, but Olise’s cross invited Díaz to head home from close range and restore the lead. Goalkeeper Kamil Grabara parried against Karl and Díaz put the rebound wide. Grabara denied Díaz again as Bayern were 2-1 up at the break.

Reds run riot

Kompany’s men were clearly dominant after half-time. Olise saw an effort saved but soon cut inside from the right and found the far corner of the net. Jenz put an Olise square into his own net under pressure from Díaz before Grabara and the post denied Kane and Díaz.

Although Neuer was called into action by Pejčinović, Bayern were far from done. Guerreiro scored from Kane’s square and the latter immediately rounded off the half-dozen, finding the far top corner of the net. Díaz’s precise pass found Olise, who beat Grabara for the seventh on his 50th Bundesliga appearance. Tah invited Goretzka to round off the final scoreline.

The result means Bayern top the table on 44 points from 16 matches, 11 clear of Borussia Dortmund. The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to face Köln in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen