Bayern Munich claimed a commanding 1-0 victory over VfL Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena, with Harry Kane's penalty in the first half proving decisive in a match that showcased the champions' control and efficiency.
Bayern Munich extended their dominance atop the Bundesliga with a clinical away win. Wolfsburg, sitting 16th with just 26 points from 33 matches, faced an uphill battle against the league leaders. The visitors arrived in Wolfsburg on the back of an impressive run, boasting 86 points and 27 wins from their opening 33 games.
The match burst to life in the 36th minute when Kane stepped up to convert from the penalty spot. The Bayern striker showed composure to send the ball past Kamil Grabara, giving the visitors a lead they would not relinquish. Wolfsburg's defense struggled to contain Bayern's attacking intent during the opening period.
Kane's penalty came after the hosts committed a crucial error in their penalty area. Bayern's clinical edge in the box proved the difference as Wolfsburg failed to create meaningful chances at the other end. The first half ended with Bayern firmly in control of proceedings.
Grabara kept Wolfsburg competitive with some important saves. The Polish goalkeeper made eight stops throughout the match, earning a rating of 8.7 for his display. His performance prevented the scoreline from becoming more embarrassing for the home side.
Bayern doubled their advantage early in the second half when Michael Olise fired home in the 56th minute. The winger's finish capped a period of sustained Bayern pressure. Olise finished with a rating of 8.6, adding a goal to his influential display.
Bayern controlled possession for large stretches, holding 69 percent of the ball. The visitors completed 689 of 771 passes with 89 percent accuracy. Wolfsburg managed just 31 percent possession and struggled to build attacking momentum.
The statistics painted a clear picture of Bayern's superiority. Bayern registered nine shots on target compared to Wolfsburg's five. The visitors generated an expected goals figure of 3.07, while Wolfsburg managed just 1.86 xG.
Joshua Kimmich controlled the midfield for Bayern, making crucial tackles and distributing the ball with precision. The midfielder's presence allowed Bayern to dictate tempo and limit Wolfsburg's attacking opportunities. Kimmich earned an 8.3 rating for his composed display.
Wolfsburg offered little in attack despite their six corner kicks. The hosts managed 17 total shots but only five found the target. Bayern's defense, led by Kim Min-jae's assured performance, stood firm throughout the contest.
The result sees Bayern consolidate their position at the top of the table with 86 points. Wolfsburg remains in the relegation zone, their struggles continuing with another defeat. The gap between the champions and the struggling hosts tells the full story of Bavarian dominance.
