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FC Bayern Munich claimed a hard-fought victory in one of the Frauen-Bundesliga’s most anticipated fixtures, overcoming VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 to leapfrog their rivals and take top spot after seven matches. In a game that ebbed and flowed with intensity, Bayern’s clinical finishing and composure under pressure proved decisive against a Wolfsburg side that dominated in shots but lacked precision. The result avenges Bayern’s earlier-season setbacks and underlines their growing authority under new head coach José Barcala, while leaving Wolfsburg managed by Stephan Lerch to reflect on a performance marred by wastefulness and a late sending-off.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | VfL Wolfsburg | FC Bayern Munich |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 47% | 53% |
| Total Shots | 20 | 16 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 6 |
| Blocked Shots | 11 | 4 |
| Corner Kicks | 6 | 5 |
| Fouls | 14 | 8 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 1 | 0 |
| Passes (Accuracy) | 361 (280) | 415 (338) |
| Tackles | 23 | 13 |
| Interceptions | 8 | 8 |
Match Report
Bayern struck first in the 27th minute, capitalising on a swift counter. Linda Dallmann’s threaded pass released Klara Bühl on the edge of the area, and the winger’s low right-footed drive found the bottom-left corner – her third goal of the season and a blow to Wolfsburg’s high line. The hosts, buoyed by home support, responded with vigour after the break. From a corner in the 48th minute, Janina Minge’s effort was parried by Ena Mahmutovic, only for the ball to ricochet off Arianna Caruso into the net for an own goal. The equaliser sparked a frantic spell, with Wolfsburg registering 20 shots overall, including close-range headers from Alexandra Popp and blocked efforts from Beerensteyn and Ella Peddemors. Yet Bayern’s resilience shone through. In the 57th minute, a long ball from Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir found Giulia Gwinn on the overlap; her precise cross was met by Momoko Tanikawa’s header into the centre of the goal, restoring the lead at 2-1. Wolfsburg pushed relentlessly, their midfield duo of Minge and Kielland driving forward incursions, but Mahmutovic’s three saves including a sharp stop from Peddemors late on kept them at bay. The game’s turning point came in added time: Marie-Joëlle Wedemeyer’s foul on substitute Lea Schüller in the 93rd minute earned a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity. From the free-kick, Bühl’s delivery set up Alara Şehitler for a composed finish into the top-right corner in the 95th, sealing a 3-1 win amid eight minutes of stoppage.
Tactical Analysis
Wolfsburg’s approach under Lerch was characteristically aggressive, with a high press that yielded 47% possession and 44 entries into the final third. Their wide threats Huth and Beerensteyn combining for several crosses created chaos, but only three of 20 shots troubled Mahmutovic, highlighting a familiar finishing shortfall. As noted in post-match commentary, the hosts’ 12 blocked attempts stemmed from hurried decisions in tight spaces, exacerbated by Bayern’s compact midfield block led by Stanway and Caruso.
Barcala’s Bayern, adapting from injuries to key players like Sarah Zadrazil, employed a pragmatic blend of possession retention and targeted long balls. Viggósdóttir’s 31 of 65 success rate proving pivotal for the second goal. The visitors absorbed pressure effectively, winning 55 recoveries and exploiting flanks where Wolfsburg’s full-backs were exposed. This transitional threat, refined since their Supercup triumph, turned Wolfsburg’s dominance into inefficiency, with Bayern’s six on-target shots from 16 attempts underscoring superior xG conversion.
Player of the Match: Klara Bühl (FC Bayern Munich). Bühl’s influence was inescapable, her goal and assist bookending a performance of poise and threat. The 24-year-old’s dribbles and key passes (five) earned her top billing, tormenting Wolfsburg’s defence throughout.
Lineups
VfL Wolfsburg: Stina Johannes; Sarai Linder, Marie-Joëlle Wedemeyer, Camilla Küver, Janou Levels; Janina Minge, Justine Kielland (Ella Peddemors 66); Svenja Huth (Thea Bjelde 81, c), Alexandra Popp, Cora Zicai (Kessya Bussy 66); Lineth Beerensteyn (Judit Pujols 88).
Unused subs: Tufekovic, Bergsvand, Dijkstra, Sælen.
Coach: Stephan Lerch.
FC Bayern Munich: Ena Mahmutovic; Franziska Kett, Sara Pedersen, Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir (Magdalena Eriksson 65), Giulia Gwinn; Georgia Stanway, Arianna Caruso; Klara Bühl, Momoko Tanikawa (Alara Şehitler 65), Linda Dallmann; Pernille Harder (Lea Schüller 90).
Unused subs: Grohs, Hansen, Naschenweng, Oberdorf, Padilla.
Coach: José Barcala.
Bayern’s victory propels them to 16 points from six games, three clear of Wolfsburg on 13 and almost level on goal difference. It cements their title credentials ahead of a congested schedule, including Champions League ties, while Wolfsburg seven-time champions must sharpen their edge to reclaim the summit. In a league where margins define greatness, this Klassiker served notice Bayern are building momentum.
