Robert Lewandowski shoots Bayern Munich to win against Wolfsburg

Stand: 10:45 p.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes

TOrjubilar Robert Lewandowski led FC Bayern to victory against their favorite opponent the evening before the world football freestyle. The Munich star striker cracked the 250-goal mark in a 2-1 win against VfL Wolfsburg as the third player in Bundesliga history. With his brace (45th + 1 / 50th minute) the Pole once again demonstrated his exceptional position, which is to be rewarded with world football honors on Thursday evening in front of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Thanks to the 32-year-old, the German record champion still has the chance to hibernate as championship leaders before the top game on Saturday at Bayer Leverkusen.

“We don’t have an easy time right now. There is hardly any time to prepare for the games. We have to try to win the last game of the year in Leverkusen, ”said Lewandowski.

The Wolfsburg, who were unbeaten until their appearance in Munich, presented Bayern with a tough test after Maximilian Philipp’s early lead (5th). But in his 332nd Bundesliga game, Lewandowski turned the game against the team against whom he set the record of five goals in nine minutes five years ago and scored more often than against any other. It was thanks to Manuel Neuer that Bayern managed to win, who kept the three points with two saves (85th).

“We have enormous quality on the offensive, we want to bring it to the field,” said Bayern coach Hansi Flick and immediately gave the signal. Behind goal scorer Lewandowski, he sent the four offensive stars Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Thomas Müller onto the pitch.

Sané flashed his strengths at an early chance (5th), but in return, the defensive weaknesses of the fast-paced international became clear when he lost the ball in his own penalty area. Via Ridle Baku and Kevin Mbabu, the ball got to Philipp, who scored his first Bundesliga goal since October 20, 2018. This was the sixth time in a row that Bayern fell behind in the Bundesliga.

In contrast to previous guest appearances, Wolfsburg turned out to be an unpleasant opponent, were very variable and always dangerous on counterattacks. It could have been worse in the first half. A shot from Josip Brekalo went just over the goal (13th) and a brilliant shot from Philipp only just saved David Alaba (29th).

But there were also good chances for Munich if they increased the pace. Like in the 17th minute, when Lewandowski appeared free in front of Koen Casteels, but did not hit the ball properly. Almost an action of rarity by the Pole, who had big plans against his favorite opponent. So it was almost natural that he continued to improve his goal rate. If Serge Gnabry left a huge chance (18th), it was Lewandowski who saved his team from falling behind during the break. After a cross from Kingsley Coman – currently goal preparer on duty – the Polish international hit the head without being pushed.

As soon as he was back on the pitch, Lewandowski turned it up again. After a diagonal ball from Jérôme Boateng, the striker danced out his opponent Maxence Lacroix and took the lead. This was already goal number 23 in the 20th duel with Wolfsburg.

With the leadership behind them, the Munich team shifted down a gear and became more careless, which almost took revenge. The high workload has not left Bayern without a trace in the last few weeks.

Cologne – Leverkusen 0-4

Bayer Leverkusen goes after a masterful derby performance as leaders in the hit against FC Bayern. The Werkself celebrated their highest away win on the other side of the Rhine in a 4-0 win at 1. FC Köln and impressively defended their top position in the Bundesliga three days earlier for the first time in six years.

Mitchell Weiser (8th) and Moussa Diaby (10th) gave Leverkusen the fastest 2-0 lead in more than six years. Patrik Schick (55th) and Florian Wirtz followed suit in the second half (59th).

For Cologne, who had started the decisive winning streak to stay in class almost exactly a year earlier on December 14, 2019 with a 2-0 win against Bayer, the bitter defeat was a bitter setback after seven points from the previous three games. In the last point game of the year on Saturday in Leipzig, Cologne go as table 15. After all: Captain Jonas Hector made his comeback from the 65th minute after a three-month injury break.