Bayern Munich concluded the first half of the 2021/22 Bundesliga season with an emphatic 4-0 win over visiting Wolfsburg. The hosts led 1-0 at halftime before scoring three goals in the second half to ensure another three points were recorded in the title race. Bayern’s win means they will exit 2021 at the top of the Bundesliga table with at least a six-point advantage. Here are five takeaways from Friday’s victory.
A five-match winning streak to end the year
With the 4-0 win against Wolfsburg, Bayern will finish the first half of the Bundesliga season on a five-match winning streak. To date, this is the longest winning streak of the season for Die Roten in the German top-flight as they surpassed the four-match winning streak they recorded earlier this season. This impressive finish to 2021 could prove to be a decisive moment in the title race.
Robert Lewandowski sets new record
As the match went on it looked as if the only blemish on Bayern’s performance was going to be Lewandowski missing out on setting a new Bundesliga record. However, in the 87th minute, the moment would come for the Bayern striker to score his 43rd goal of the calendar year. Lewandowski’s 43rd Bundesliga goal of 2021 allows him to surpass the legendary striker Gerd Muller for most goals scored in a calendar year in the German top-flight.
Thomas Muller’s incredible end to 2021
It was an impressive end to 2021 for Muller as he recorded one goal and one assist in the win over Wolfsburg. This was just his latest contribution to Bayern’s success in recent weeks. From Bundesliga Matchdays Eight to 17, Muller was directly involved in 14 of Bayern’s 32 goals scored during this period. This impressive run of form has allowed the 32-year-old to hold a commanding lead in the race to record the most assist in the league. He will enter the second half of the league season with 13 assists in 17 appearances.
Dayot Upamecano scores his first Bayern goal
The final match of 2021 for Upamecano yielded his first goal for Bayern in all competitions. Although the defender is not typically involved in goal-scoring, he will finish the first half of the season with one goal and four assists in 15 Bundesliga appearances. Those are not bad offensive statistics at all for a center-back. In fact, he currently is tied for third on the team for most assists in the league.
Upamecano’s performance against Wolfsburg could end up being one of his best of the season. In addition to his goal, he finished with a team-high five tackles. Additionally, he contributed two interceptions, two blocked shots, and two key passes. All-in-all, it was a great 90 minutes from the Bayern center back both offensively and defensively.
Leroy Sane betters last season’s goal tally
In his first campaign with Bayern, Sane scored ten goals in all competitions. With his fantastic goal against Wolfsburg, the 25-year-old has already surpassed that number with his 11th goal of the 2021/22 season for Bayern in all competitions. The winger has scored five goals in the Bundesliga, five in the UEFA Champions League, and one in the DFB-Pokal. It’s only the halfway mark of the domestic campaign and Sane looks as if he is going to have an impressive goal tally when all is said and done in the current campaign.