Wolfsburg 2-3 Bayern Munich: Defensive instability showcases why Bayern shouldn’t have sold Matthijs de Ligt
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich era in the Bundesliga got underway at the Volkswagen Arena on Sunday afternoon, but they were made to work hard for their win against Wolfsburg.
After taking the lead through Jamal Musiala, a Lovro Majer brace shortly after the break put Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side into a 2-1 lead. But an own goal from Jakub Kamiński preceded a Serge Gnabry winner eight minutes from time. Far from convincing, Kompany has a lot of work to do, but here’s three things we learned from the result.
Michael Olise will be a star
Fresh from a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, there was question marks as to whether Michael Olise would start for the Rekordmeister. But after returning to the squad after vacationing earlier in the summer, Kompany awarded the Frenchman with his Bundesliga debut. From the off, it was evident just to what Olise will bring to this squad.
Able to play in a versatile system, Olise started on the right-flank, but would drift into the half-spaces, allowing compatriot Sacha Boey to overlap. The duo could create a fruitful relationship going forward and they’ve already showcased an understanding. When Boey inverted, Olise would create width and with his neat dribbling, vision and passing range, the 22-year-old can be a huge asset for Bayern Munich this season.
Defensive problems persist for Bayern Munich
Wolfsburg came out after the break at full throttle, and Bayern Munich were unable to deal with the ferocity. Boey brought down Tiago Tomas just one minute after the restart, of which Majer dispatched calmly, before Kim Min-jae was caught dwelling on the ball for VfL’s second.
Dayot Upamecano and Kim looked far apart and like a defensive partnership that had never played together before and on another day, Wolfsburg could have scored three or four. Matthijs de Ligt was excellent and without a doubt Bayern Munich’s best defender last season and despite his injury record, it’s a wonder why the Rekordmeister sold the Dutchman.
Wolfsburg won’t be involved in a relegation battle
Appointed in March, Hasenhüttl steered Wolfsburg clear of the relegation zone last season with four wins in their last eight league games and averaging 1.5 points per game, the Austrian and VfL could well be a match that suits both parties.
A new No. 1 in Kamil Grabara, defensive solidity and a double pivot in midfield that compliment each other well, Wolfsburg have the basis of a good squad here. Their attack also consists of Tiago Tomas, who shone against Bayern Munich, with Majer pulling the strings while Dane Jonas Wind remains an excellent option off the bench. It’s early doors, but this Wolfsburg side shows a lot of promise, and it can’t possibly be any worse than the last 24 months.
