Wolfsburg vs. Bayern Munich: Winners and Losers from DFB Pokal
Bayern Munich steamrolled Wolfsburg on Tuesday in their DFB-Pokal second-round clash, their 3-1 victory at the Volkswagen-Arena seeing last year's runners-up progress to the round of 16.
Douglas Costa netted a long-ranged screamer early on, and Thomas Muller added a brace before half-time to put the visitors well ahead. Andre Schurrle netted a consolation goal late, but it was not enough as the title holders crashed out of the German cup.
Following the action, B/R takes a closer look at the action and picks out the people who gained and lost the most from the action. Click "Begin Slideshow" for our picks.
Winner: Thomas Muller
1 of 6
Although Douglas Costa scored the opener for Bayern, Thomas Muller bagged a brace to make it 2-0 and 3-0 to the hosts, putting the result to bed well before half-time. The Germany international ghosted in at the back post to fire a pair of first-touch finishes into the net, the second with a particularly skillful volley.
With six goals in his last four games against German opponents, Muller may have managed to usurp Robert Lewandowski as Bayern's most in-form attacker.
Winner: Kingsley Coman
2 of 6
From the opening kick-off, Kingsley Coman was a winner. The fact that he was included in the starting lineup in a single-elimination match was an endorsement of the 19-year-old, who started ahead of the likes of Arjen Robben and Arturo Vidal.
The Chilean would have been a very reasonable option from the start, given that, in his absence, there was no true ball-winner in central midfield. Yet Guardiola opted to start the youngster instead.
Coman did outstandingly well to justify his starting role. Although he neither scored nor assisted directly, the youngster was instrumental in creating Bayern's second and third goals before his substitution. Again he looked an extremely mature player for his years. He seems destined be a superstar, sooner or later.
Loser: Dieter Hecking
3 of 6
Germany's Coach of the Year, Dieter Hecking, had a brilliant 2014-15 campaign. He won the DFB-Pokal, led his side to second in the Bundesliga and was fully deserving of his award.
He hasn't followed up the brilliance of this spring thus far this season, however. And on Tuesday, the Wolfsburg trainer was found badly lacking.
Wolfsburg lined up defensively enough but were nonetheless put to the sword on the wings. The center-backs and goalkeeper Diego Benaglio didn't look particularly suspect, but Christian Trasch in particular was nightmarish on the wing, raising the question of what Sebastian Jung was signed for.
Vieirinha also started to add defensive support, but neither he nor Daniel Caligiuri added very much to the Wolfsburg attack and lacked the physicality to contain the likes of Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman.
Hecking could have done a better job in preparing his side for Bayern's wing play, but instead Wolfsburg were absolutely devastated on the flanks. And then there's the question of why Max Kruse was benched, given his outstanding form heading into the match. All in all, a very poor game from Hecking.
Winner: Maximilian Arnold
4 of 6
Maxi Arnold has long been known for his talent, but the youngster has apparently fallen out of favor with Hecking and has only started twice for Wolfsburg since mid-August.
An early injury to Christian Trasch saw the 21-year-old come off the bench. Arnold was one of the few bright spots for Wolfsburg and played a few great passes despite seeing little of the ball and his teammates having little to offer. In the end, he was rewarded with an assist to Andre Schurrle.
According to Sport Bild (h/t LigaInsider.de, in German) Arnold is ready to pursue a transfer away from the Volkswagen Arena should he remain a substitute. He made a good appeal on Tuesday for a starting role.
Losers: Christian Trasch and Ricardo Rodriguez
5 of 6
A few years ago, Christian Trasch was a Germany international. A few months ago, Ricardo Rodriguez was arguably the best left-back in the Bundesliga.
On Tuesday, for the second time in just over a month's time, they were both roasted by Bayern's attack down the flanks. The final, aggregate score of Wolfsburg's last two matches with Bayern: 8-2.
Trasch and Rodriguez will both need to do a bit of soul-searching after Tuesday's result. Wolfsburg weren't even particularly poor through the center, but Douglas Costa, Kingsley Coman and Arjen Robben brutalized the hosts on the wings.
Winner: David Alaba
6 of 6
David Alaba may see himself as a midfielder, but every time he plays left-back, he shows just how amazingly well his skill set suits the role of a wide defender.
The Austria international was one of the reasons for Bayern's supremacy on the flanks on Tuesday: He hardly gave an inch when Wolfsburg attacked and set up both of Muller's goals from crosses. Although he's done well in central defense this season, he really is wasted when not allowed to move forward more freely.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
