Bayern Munich Dominates VfL Wolfsburg in Bundesliga Matchday 16

Matchday 16 in the Bundesliga concluded on Sunday afternoon with Bayern Munich hosting VfL Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena.

Vincent Kompany implemented four changes to the squad that secured a 4-0 victory against Heidenheim prior to the winter break, opting for a younger midfield featuring Tom Bischoff and Aleksander Pavlovic, who replaced Raphaël Guerreiro and Leon Goretzka.

VfL Wolfsburg entered this match sitting 14th in the league, just three points above the relegation zone, seeking to turn their fortunes around in the latter part of the season. They made three adjustments from the team that experienced a narrow 4-3 defeat to Freiburg.

Given the recent head-to-head history, this match posed a challenging backdrop for Daniel Bauer as he began his full-time tenure as manager. Bayern had not lost to Wolfsburg in their last 25 encounters, a streak that dates back to January 2015.

The home side took an early lead when Luis Díaz’s deflected cross was inadvertently converted into an own goal by Kilian Fischer, under pressure from Michael Olise.

Díaz nearly doubled the lead shortly after, receiving a superb through ball from Olise, only to see his shot narrowly miss the target.

Wolfsburg swiftly equalized when Konstantinos Koulierakis found Lovro Majer, whose through ball bypassed Dayot Upamecano, allowing Dženan Pejčinović to score with a composed finish past Manuel Neuer.

However, Bayern regained the lead just after the half-hour mark. Michael Olise set up Díaz for a straightforward header from close range. The hosts were close to extending their lead when Konrad Laimer’s incisive pass sent Lennart Karl one-on-one with Grabara, but Karl’s shot was saved.

The second half began with a spectacular goal from Olise, who danced past three defenders before scoring. Moments later, he assisted Díaz for his second goal, putting Bayern firmly in control.

Midway through the second half, Bayern’s prowess was further demonstrated as Guerreiro scored, followed by Harry Kane’s stunning strike into the top corner. Olise then secured his second of the match with another composed finish, raising the scoreline to 7-1. Leon Goretzka contributed one final goal before the whistle, taking advantage of a loose ball.

While it was a challenging day for Wolfsburg, they demonstrated resilience in the first half. However, Bayern’s relentless performance in the second half highlighted the stark difference in quality between the teams.

**Player Ratings:**
**Bayern Munich:**
Manuel Neuer (7) – Konrad Laimer (6), Dayot Upamecano (6), Jonathan Tah (7), Josip Stanišić (6) – Aleksander Pavlović (6), Tom Bischoff (6) – Michael Olise (10), Lennart Karl (6), Luis Díaz (8) – Harry Kane (7)
**Substitutes:** Raphaël Guerreiro (7), Leon Goretzka (7), Felipe Chávez (-), Hiroki Itō (-), Wisdom Mike (-)
**VfL Wolfsburg:**
Kamil Grabara (4) – Saël Kumbedi (4), Moritz Jens (4), Konstantinos Koulierakis (4), Killian Fischer (4) – Mattias Svanberg (5), Maximilian Arnold (5) – Christian Eriksen (5), Lovro Majer (6), Patrick Wimmer (5) – Dženan Pejčinović (7)
**Substitutes:** Yannick Gerhardt (6), Adam Daghim (6), Kevin Paredes (-), Pharell Hensel (-), Denis Vavro (-)

Involved in nearly every goal, Olise delivered a standout performance, particularly highlighted by his exceptional third goal, marking a masterful display that dictated the flow of the match from start to finish.