Braces from Bas Dost and Kevin De Bruyne was enough to earn VfL Wolfsburg a win and three points to close the gap to Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga.
The Dutchman opened the scoring just three minutes into the first half with a well executed counter-attack. However it was perhaps the second that could be a contender for goal of the season. Bayern had only conceded four goals all season before their trip to the Volkswagen Arena, having won their last 14 games against teams from Lower Saxony.
De Bruyne added to their lead seven minutes into the second half before Spaniard, Juan Bernat pulled a goal back for the visitors a minute later. The Belgian got his second of the game 20 minutes from time to put the game beyond any doubt.
The win was perhaps overshadowed by the death of Wolfsburg midfielder, Junior Malanda, who passed away on January 10. The two sets of fans kicked off the return of the Bundesliga with a minute’s applause whilst the home support unveiled a banner with the words: “Forever in our heart,” a fitting tribute for the 20-year old.
Dieter Hecking and Co have been busy over the previous couple days, waving goodbye to Ivica Olić who returned to former side, Hamburger SV, whilst medical staff were working with André Schürrle, ahead of his move to Wolfsburg.
The visitors, Bayern Munich enjoyed their training camp in Doha. However, news that Franck Ribery would be out until mid-February was concerning news for Bayern fans, who hoped to keep their unbeaten record.
It took Bayern just 23 seconds to regain possession from Wolfsburg’s kick-off, but despite their passing abilities, it was the home side who took the early lead after Daniel Caligiuri played De Bruyne in, who squared the ball to Dost, who really couldn’t miss from nine yards.
Whilst Bayern were controlling the possession, it was Wolfsburg who looked more dangerous coming forward in the opening 20 mintutes. Ivan Perišić retrieved the ball in the midfield before playing a one-two win Max Arnold however, the Croatian’s lofted ball was unable to find De Bruyne inside the area.
Bayern’s first real opportunity came mid-way through the first half when the ball fell to David Alaba 20-yards out. The Austrian struck the ball hard and low but Diego Benaglio was up to the task to deny Bayern an equaliser.
Dost had the chance to double Wolfsburg’s lead five minutes from the half-time whistle. Caligiuri found space on the right flank before launching a diagonal ball towards the Dutchman, whilst the onrushing Manuel Neuer did enough to put off the striker.
Persistence did pay off for the Wolfsburg striker as a free-kick floated in was cleared by the Bayern defence. However, the ball only found Dost on the edge of the box who looped one over Neuer, into the top corner of the Bayern net.
It took Wolfsburg just seven minutes into the second half to add another goal to their tally. This time De Bruyne capped off his wonderful performance with a tidy finish, one-on-one with German international, Neuer.
Their three-goal lead lasted just one minute as Juan Bernat pulled a goal back for the visitors but with 35 minutes left to play, Wolfsburg still looked favourites.
Bayern earned a free-kick on the edge of the box half-way through the second half, Arjen Robben took control but could only find the crossbar. As Bayern pushed on for a further two goals, De Bruyne bagged his second which could rival Dost's second for goal of the season.
The Belgian slowed down play before accelerating past Dante, then firing a left footed strike past Neuer and in off the underside of the crossbar.
Dost was later given a standing ovation as he was replaced by Nicklas Bendtner in the closing stages, as Robben came close to grabbing a consolation goal for Bayern. Veteran Claudio Pizarro should have scored from three-yards when Bernat found the Peruvian unmarked, but the 36-year old scooped the ball over the bar.
Wolfsburg have now cut Bayern's lead at the top of the Bundesliga to just eight points, with the champions facing Schalke 04 and VfB Stuttgart in the coming weeks.