Bayern Munich got the defence of their Bundesliga title off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena on Friday night.
Thomas Muller put Bayern ahead before the interval with Arjen Robben adding a second just after the break. Ivica Olic made things interesting shortly afterwards with a superb effort to reduce the deficit and Wolfsburg had chances to level.
Bayern also wasted opportunities to increase their lead with the game remaining on a knife edge right to the final whistle. Most of Bayern’s World Cup winners were selected in the starting XI by Pep Guardiola, who chose 17-year-old Gianluca Gaudino as the solution to his problems in midfield.
The son of former Bundesliga great and Germany international Maurizio Gaudino showed no signs of nerves and set up the first big chance on the half-hour mark with a lofted pass which Robert Lewandowski managed to reach at full stretch, but Wolfsburg goalkeeper Max Grun palmed the ball behind. Moments earlier, Grun had denied Lewandowski in another one-on-one situation having already saved Muller’s low shot.
The Wolfsburg custodian was coming under increased pressure and his resistance was broken when Robben tricked his way past Luiz Gustavo down the right and sent in a cross which Muller just had to stick a foot out to guide into the far corner from close range.
Wolfsburg could perhaps count themselves lucky to be just one goal behind at the interval, but Bayern needed only a minute of the second half to double their advantage.
Robben robbed Wolfsburg debutant Josuha Guilavogui of possession inside his own half and, just one quick exchange of passes involving Muller and Lewandowski later, the Dutchman was presented with only Grun to beat, and he placed his shot beyond the keeper’s reach.
Olic then dragged his side back into it with a stunning volley which smacked in off the underside of the crossbar. And Wolfsburg should have been level but Junior Malanda contrived to miss from a yard out after his initial shot had come back off the bar. It was a let off, and one which Bayern made the most of.
Miss of the season already..?
With 10 minutes left and Wolfsburg 2-1 down, Junior Malanda’s shot crashed back off the bar. The rebound was there to be tucked away – instead the ball bounced awkwardly off Malanda’s shin and wide, from a yard out.
