10-man Bayern survive Wolfsburg scare

Wolfsburg 2-4 Bayern
Goals: 0-1 Coman 9' (assist: Davies), 0-2 Coman 14' (assist: Cancelo), 0-3 Müller 19' (assist: Kimmich), 1-3 Kaminski 44' (assist: Otavio), 1-4 Musiala 73' (assist: Pavard 73'), 2-4 Svanberg (81')
Sent off: Kimmich (54')

Wins for Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund on Saturday meant the onus was very much on Julian Nagelsmann's side here to follow suit and defend their narrow lead at the top of the table. They didn't need long to signal their intent to do just that, with Coman's in-swinging cross from the left in the ninth minute evading Thomas Müller's outstretched boot and deceiving Koen Casteels on its way into the far corner. If there was an element of fortune involved in that goal, Coman's second served as a reminder of Bayern's incredible quality: Joao Cancelo provided his second assist in as many games since his deadline-day arrival with a pinpoint cross from the right, which Coman volleyed in from 12 yards at the back post. When Müller headed in a Kimmich free-kick moments later the outcome appeared settled, but Jakub Kaminski pulled a goal back for Wolfsburg on the stroke of half-time to give them a glimmer of hope.

Their optimism only grew in the second half following a strong start, and Mattias Svanberg should have reduced the deficit further from close range following Ridle Baku's cross. When Kimmich was sent off for a second bookable offence a short while later, the Wolves sought to press home their advantage and could have scored again when Baku had a free header inside the six-yard box, but he could only direct it straight at Yann Sommer. A sublime solo goal from Jamal Musiala to make it 4-1 to the visitors seemingly quashed Wolfsburg's prospects again, but Svanberg lashed in on the turn in the 81st minute to spark a tense finale. Yannick Gerhardt had the ball in the back of the net once more moments later but his effort was disallowed for a foul in the build-up. In the end though, Bayern held on through five minutes of stoppage time to record their first Bundesliga win of 2023.

• Wolfsburg had 17 shots on goal in this match, more than any other team against Bayern this season.
• Bayern scored with each of their first four shots on goal.
• Musiala's goal was his first in 2023. He has now found the net four times in six outings against the Wolves.
• Kimmich's sending off was his first as a professional, coming in his 220th Bundesliga appearance. He is the 100th Bayern player to be shown a red card in Germany's top flight.
• Müller has scored more goals against Wolfsburg (13) than against any other Bundesliga team.
• Coman's brace was his fourth in the Bundesliga, and first since April 2019.

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Watch: Svanberg: "We need to take the positives"

Wolfsburg: Casteels – Lacroix (Kaminski 30'), Bornauw,, Van de Ven - Baku, Svanberg, Arnold (c) (Gerhardt 74'),  F. Nmecha, Otavio (Paredes 66') – Wimmer (Marmoush 66'), Wind (L. Nmecha 74')
Unused subs: Pervan, Waldschmidt, Cozza, Guilavogui
Out: -
Coach: Niko Kovac

Bayern: Sommer – Cancelo (Blind 78'), Pavard, De Ligt, Davies – Kimmich, Goretzka – Sane (Tel 60'), Musiala (Wanner 78'), Coman (Gnabry 55') – Müller (c) (Stanisic 60')
Unused subs: Ulreich, Schenk, Sarr
Out: Choupo-Moting (stomach bug), Gravenberch (knee), Hernandez (knee), Mane (leg), Mazraoui (heart), Neuer (leg), Upamecano (toe)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann