Despite not having the ball for much of the game, or the better chances, Caroline Abbé's goal meant that Bayern Munich secured a vital 1-0 win over Frauen-Bundesliga title rivals, VfL Wolfsburg.

Bayern had two wins from their opening two games and were aiming to keep it that way. Thomas Wörle made two changes from last week's triumph; Manuela Zinsberger and Laura Feiersinger dropped out, allowing Tinja-Riikka Korpela and Lisa Evans to retake their places in the starting line-up.

Wolfsburg also had an unblemished record coming into the game, and wanted to keep a similar consistency with their starting eleven. Only one alteration was made, with Tessa Wullaert replaced Ramona Bachmann.

Early nerves

Julia Simic nearly gave the visitors an extremely early lead after a mistake in the Bayern defence, though she failed to lift the ball over Korpela who scuttled back well to prevent her side from going behind. The usually steady Nilla Fischer's back-pass nearly landed Almuth Schult in bother but the new Germany number one managed to clear the danger, in what was a nervy opening few minutes.

The hosts were giving away the ball too easily in the final third and constantly gave Wolfsburg the chance to break forward. Alexandra Popp almost took advantage, only to see her daisy-cutter fly into the arms of Korpela. Bayern responded from a set-piece and could have gone in front, with Vivianne Miedema's effort being comfortably held by Schult.

Tempo slows, Bayern lead

After a frantic opening quarter-hour, the game began to slow in tempo. Wolfsburg were still on top, however, and their intricate play wasn't providing any way through the Bayern defence. The influential Lena Goeßling did her best to try and break the deadlock but no-one could get on the end of her powerful run and cross. The Wolves were made to pay moments later, too.

After being awarded a free-kick in the middle of the park, Melanie Behringer lofted a cross towards the back post and Caroline Abbé. The Swiss stalwart rose highest after the defence seemingly lost track of the ball, looping her header over Schult and into the back of the net. She was powerless to prevent her side from going behind, as Abbé's effort just snuck under the bar at the final moment.

Wolfsburg unfortunate not to be level

Wolfsburg tried their best to find an equaliser before the break but were thwarted, and wasteful, on a number of occasions. The best chance fell to Simic, who was played in by Popp's precise pass. Her shot sped past Korpela but Viktoria Schnaderbeck was on hand to make a crucial goal-line clearance and maintain their lead until the break.

At half-time, Ralf Kellermann opted to take off the dangerous Simic and Wullaert, a more natural forward. Both sides had their chances to get on the score-board early in the second half, mainly through counter-attacks, though neither seemed convincing when through on goal. Wullaert had an especially exciting opportunity but shot well wide.

Bayern invite pressure

Despite only holding a one-goal lead, Bayern were more than happy to invite their guests to attack. The Bavarians dropped into a 5-4-1 without the ball, which began to greatly frustrate the Wolves and had to rely on largely inaccurate long-range shots to have any chance of hitting the target.

The pressure eventually told and Popp was handed a break, but her effort from 20 yards rattled the post with Korpela well beaten. It wasn't Wolfsburg's day and that was further emphasised when Élise Bussaglia's sweetly struck free-kick went inches over the bar. Bayern very nearly made that irrelevant with a break of their own, only for Schult to race out and nip the ball from Behringer's toes.

Bayern hang on

Wörle made a clear statement of his intent when Carina Wenninger came on for Miedema, as the home side began to shut up shop. It was going to plan perfectly and Melanie Leupolz even rattled the post after a wonderful solo run but Wolfsburg would not lie down. They continue to apply pressure but it was to no avail, leaving Bayern to maintain their 100% record and claim their second clean sheet in three games.