Bayern Strikes
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Bayern Munich grind out a win against Wolfsburg

By Kiran Thakare

(L-R) Bayern Munich's Dutch midfielder Joshua Zirkzee, Bayern Munich's midfielder Serge Gnabry, Bayern Munich's Austrian defender David Alaba, Bayern Munich's defender Jerome Boateng and Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski react after the second goal for Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, southern Germany, on December 21, 2019. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
(L-R) Bayern Munich's Dutch midfielder Joshua Zirkzee, Bayern Munich's midfielder Serge Gnabry, Bayern Munich's Austrian defender David Alaba, Bayern Munich's defender Jerome Boateng and Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski react after the second goal for Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, southern Germany, on December 21, 2019. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich ended the year on a winning note with a 2-0 victory against Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena.

The decade came to an end on a positive note for Bayern Munich as they make it three league wins in a row. Die Roten had to work hard to clinch victory against Wolfsburg, similar to the game against Freiburg on Wednesday.

Hansi Flick had to reshuffle his midfield due to injuries to Corentin Tolisso and Leon Goretzka. Thiago Alcantara also missed this game due to the accumulation of yellow cards. Due to these absentees, Joshua Kimmich moved back to midfield, and Javi Martinez slotted in the central defense. Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho once again started together behind Robert Lewandowski.

The hosts started the game positively as they tried to created problems for Wolfsburg straightaway. Ivan Perisic came close to scoring in the 13th minute as his close-range effort was brilliantly saved by Koen Casteels. Wolfsburg also tried to hit Bayern on the counter, but Manuel Neuer stood firm to deny Felix Klaus at the near post.

Bayern once again tested Casteels midway through the half as David Alaba launched a fierce strike from outside the box. The hosts dominated the first half, but couldn’t take their chances. The half ended on a sour note as Martinez was brought off the pitch due to a serious injury.

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Die Roten looked rejuvenated after half- time as Philippe Coutinho launched his trademark long-range effort from the left flank, but Casteels showed his strong reflexes to punch it away from goal. Wolves also tried to create chances in the final third, but Die Roten’s defense stood tall and made some clever interceptions to stop dangerous passing sequences.

Bayern toiled hard as Wolfsburg maintained a compact shape. The Bavarians struggled to breakdown their defense centrally and often reverted to crossing from wider positions. It was looking certain that the visitors will leave Allianz Arena with a point before Flick decided to bring the last game’s hero– Joshua Zirkzee.

Zrikzee didn’t disappoint the gaffer once again as he made an immediate impact by giving Bayern lead in 85th minute. Thomas Muller showed great awareness to square the ball to Zirkzee in the box. The final few minutes of this game was a carbon copy of the game against Freiburg as Serge Gnabry punished Wolfsburg on the counter.

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Bayern will end the year in the third position, four points behind RB Leipzig. The defending champions need to improve performances against compact teams. Moreover, they need to be more efficient in the final third. Die Roten is in a much better position at this stage compared to last season. They will need to polish the rough edges of their game during the winter break to go on a long winning run during the second half of the season.