The VfL Wolfsburg put up a strong performance against FC Bayern on matchday 33 but just missed out on a point. The narrow 1-0 loss could still benefit the Wolves in the season finale at FC St. Pauli, where they are fighting for a relegation playoff spot.
The Lower Saxons are level on points with the Hamburg side but boast a better goal difference, meaning a draw would be enough for Wolfsburg—provided 1. FC Heidenheim does not close the gap on Sunday in Cologne. For Bayern, a moment of brilliance from Michael Olise was enough on Saturday evening, when Wolfsburg debuted a new (old) crest. Earlier, Harry Kane missed a penalty for the first time in the Bundesliga. Meanwhile, defeats for St. Pauli and Wolfsburg confirmed the survival of Werder Bremen and 1. FC Köln.
In front of 28,917 spectators in a sold-out Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg showed perhaps their best performance of the season for long stretches but could not pull off an upset against the record champions. Olise scored the winner in the 56th minute for Munich, who have set their sights on a domestic double after their Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, having already secured the league title and eyeing the DFB-Pokal.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany made several changes after the painful Champions League elimination, but did not opt for a full rotation. Stars like Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Olise, and Kane still started for the record champions.
For Wolfsburg, the absence of Mohamed Amoura was notable. The offensive player was dropped from the squad for disciplinary reasons for the second time this season. Both the Algerian striker and midfielder Kevin Paredes were omitted due to an incident in training. “In situations like these, where we stand, there are no two opinions. Discipline must be there, and it wasn’t in that one moment in training,” Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking told Sky. “Then we have to live with the consequences. The other players will compensate.”
Wolfsburg had several chances, but Kane missed a penalty. Usually a sure thing for Bayern, the Brit had never missed a Bundesliga penalty before. This time, he slipped while taking his 25th league spot-kick and sent the ball over the goal.
After the break, Bayern dominated more clearly. Wolfsburg dropped deep and rarely relieved pressure. Just ten minutes into the second half, the German champions took the lead when Olise scored a stunning shot into the top corner. Munich then controlled the game and had multiple chances through Kane (61′), Musiala (64′), and Olise (72′) to make it 2-0. Instead, Wolfsburg could have snatched a point when Mattias Svanberg hit the post (89′). For Wolfsburg, the task next week is clear: avoid relegation from the top flight for the first time.
