Bayern Munich edge five goal thriller against Wolfsburg

For matchday one of the Bundesliga 2024/25, Bayern Munich travelled to VFL Wolfsburg for Vincent Kompany's first league game as head coach. The Belgian coach handed out the debut to star signing Michael Olise in the attack.

Bayern Munich XI: Neuer - Boey, Kim, Upamecano, Davies - Kimmich, Pavlovic - Olise, Musiala, Gnabry - Kane.

It was an intense start to the game, with Kompany, and Wolfsburg manager Ralph Hassenhuttl both known for high-energy, offensive systems. Bayern went close early on when Olise found Kane in the box, but a good save from Kamil Grabbers kept the scores level.

Not long after, Olise found Kimmich from a corner, but could not beat Grabbers in a chance he would have felt he should have done better with. Nevertheless, there were encouraging signs in Bayern's approach to the game. After 19 minutes, Bayern were rewarded for their persistence. Kane found Boey down the right side, and the Frenchman showed an incredible burst of speed to lose his man, before having the composure to find Jamal Musiala who could not miss from point-blank range.

It was Musiala's sixth goal against Wolfsburg, continuing his good run of form against them. It is the most goals the German attacking midfielder has scored against any single Bundesliga opponent so far in his career. Bayern went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead, having limited their hosts to just one shot during the entirety of the first half.

The second half was a complete contrast to the first one as Wolfsburg came back with renewed energy after the break. Just a minute had gone when Sacha Boey went from hero to zero, clipping Tiago Tomas inside the box and conceding a penalty. Lovro Majer converted, and it was 1-1.

Just eight minutes after the equalizer, the game was completely turned on its head. Kim Min-jae was caught on the ball attempting a backpass to Manuel Neuer and was robbed of the ball by Patrick Wimmer, who ran through before squaring to Majer to make it two for him and two for Wolfsburg.

Kompany looked to his bench in response, and brought on Muller for Boey. Within a minute, it was 2-2. Harry Kane's nod down looked like it had been touched over the line by Muller himself, but it was Jakub Kaminski who bundled into his own net.

The game ebbed and flowed in an end-to-end affair. Kane went so close to getting off the mark for the season, with a sublime turn inside the box, but he was incredibly denied by Kaminski, who made a superb goal-saving block to deny the England captain.

Bayern were not to be denied, however. Just two minutes later, Kane found Serge Gnabry with a fantastically weighted through ball, and the 29-year-old winger drilled the ball into the net.

The drama didn't end there, though. After 86 minutes, Bayern nearly surrendered the lead for a second time. Mattias Savenberg couldn't find the target after getting into a dangerous position.
After holding out for five minutes of stoppage side, Vincent Kompany's side held on to secure a very important three points to start the season.

Some very good attacking play, but Bayern must improve defensively. Giving away a penalty, an individual error leading to the goal, and allowing their hosts a guilt-edged chance five minutes from time when leading. This must be cut out if Die Roten are to regain their Bundesliga throne.