Wolfsburg vs. Bayern Munich: Winners and Losers from Bundesliga
Bayern Munich celebrated their 116th birthday in style on Saturday, as they beat Wolfsburg for a third time this season. The Bavarian giants downed last season's Bundesliga runners-up and DFB-Pokal winners by a 2-0 score at the Volkswagen Arena.
After a scoreless first half, Kingsley Coman volleyed home the opener on 66 minutes. With a quarter-hour left, Robert Lewandowski stuck out a leg to direct home a second, doubling Bayern's lead and putting the result beyond question.
Following Bayern's big win, B/R runs the rule over the individuals who came out the better and worse as a result of Saturday's action. Click "Begin Slideshow" for our picks.
Winner: Manuel Neuer
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Although Bayern held the majority of possession and did very well to contain their hosts, Wolfsburg had the better of the chances prior to the opener. But with thanks to Manuel Neuer's assuredness between the posts, Bayern maintained parity.
Neuer made a brilliant save from Max Kruse's header in the first half, and his positioning was flawless. That's why Julian Draxler's powerful volley was saved rather comfortably and why Kruse's late attempt was also parried without much trouble. With all things considered, Neuer may have even had Marcel Schafer's close-ranged volley covered late in the first half had it been put on target.
Loser: Serdar Tasci
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When Serdar Tasci joined Bayern from Spartak Moscow, it seemed obvious that he'd be a regular starter in the short term at least. The Bavarians had an injury crisis in central defense. Yet after a shaky debut a week ago, it looks like the former Germany international faces an uphill battle if he is to secure Pep Guardiola's trust and play regularly from the start.
Tasci was taken off after 53 minutes in the Darmstadt match and has since been left out of the Bayern squad altogether for two consecutive games—first in midweek against Juventus, then on Saturday against Wolfsburg. It seems Guardiola prefers even undersized, non-natural centre-backs in the heart of his defense.
Loser: Marcel Schafer
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Marcel Schafer started on the left wing for Wolfsburg partly due to his club's injury crisis but partly also as a defensive measure. Dieter Hecking's lack of bravery or confidence that his side would score might have cost his side a point or more.
Moments before half-time and with the score still 0-0, Schafer had a gilt-edged chance to put the hosts ahead. But after being teed up perfectly by Max Kruse, the 31-year-old dragged his shot wide. It was a defender's finish, not a surprise as it came from a player who has spent his entire career at left-back. Had he scored, Wolfsburg could have taken a more compact approach in the second half and may have even won.
Winner: Kingsley Coman
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For much of Saturday's match, it wasn't clear who would be the man to lift Bayern to victory. Douglas Costa and Arjen Robben were substituted off in the second half, and Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski didn't have much going for them at parity.
Kingsley Coman broke the deadlock, though, rising to the occasion when he was needed. And not long thereafter, he played the cross that ultimately led to Lewandowski's goal. Even at 19 years of age, Coman looks not only a comfortable part of the first team, but apparently a real leader as well.
Winner: Franck Ribery
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As great as Coman was, Franck Ribery was approximately his equal in terms of influence on the match. Perhaps written off by many due to his age and consistent injuries, the Frenchman came off the bench in the second half and played a big role in both goals.
His deflected shot saw the ball fall to Coman for the opener, and Ribery fielded his compatriot's cross to set up Lewandowski for Bayern's second. Even as he approaches his 33rd birthday, it seems Ribery has something left in the tank.
