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Played
January 28, 2012 2:30 PM GMT
Allianz-Arena — München
Referee:‬ F. Zwayer‎
Attendance:‬ 69000‎
 
60′ Mario Gomez
 
90+2′ Arjen Robben
 
Top of the Match
Franck Ribéry
Franck Ribéry
FC Bayern München
Arjen  Robben
Arjen Robben
FC Bayern München
Flop of the Match
Christian Träsch
Christian Träsch
VfL Wolfsburg
Koo Ja-Cheol
Koo Ja-Cheol
VfL Wolfsburg

Bayern Munich 2-0 Wolfsburg: Gomez & Robben strikes hand Bavarian giants home triumph

As he celebrated a personal milestone, the Germany international striker scored a critical goal as his side maintained their spot at the top of the Bundesliga table

By Clark Whitney

FC Bayern München vs. VfL Wolfsburg, Thomas Müller & Petr Jiracek
Bongarts
Mario Gomez found the net in his 200th Bundesliga appearance as Bayern Munich earned a 2-0 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday.

The visitors were very strong in defence and always had a chance to take at least a point, but the Germany international forward made the difference as he broke the deadlock on 60 minutes.

Following a free kick, Gomez nodded the ball to team-mate Jerome Boateng, before collecting his rebound and firing home. Only in the closing seconds of the game did Bayern finally get their second goal, as Arjen Robben poked home Ivica Olic's chip as it was set to cross the goal line.

Bayern were the more ambitious team at the start of the game and it took just seven minutes for the hosts to find the back of the net, as Mario Gomez nodded in from Franck Ribery's saved volley attempt. However, the goal was called back for offside.

Gomez's next chance came on 19 minutes as Bastian Schweinsteiger's clever chip played him through on goal, but after controlling, the striker failed to connect with the ball and the chance went begging.

Wolfsburg were quick to close down their opponents, whose chances became very limited, but towards the end of the first half, Bayern had more success. Franck Ribery made space before Thomas Muller fired a clear chance wide and the Frenchman was then denied a clear penalty claim as the sides entered the half-time break on level terms.

Wolfsburg were largely stymied during the first half, but their chances did come intermittently. Philipp Lahm's weak back-pass gave Ashkan Dejagah a chance to cross in front of goal, but nothing came of the opportunity for the visitors.

On 45 minutes, Schweinsteiger's weak clearance left Mario Mandzukic with an opportunity, but the Bayern vice-captain made a crunching tackle to concede a corner.

Another defensive mistake from the hosts saw Rafinha concede possession to Mandzukic, who drew Manuel Neuer out of his goal but was unable to find a team-mate with his cut-back pass.

The goal changed the scope of the game, as Wolfsburg grew increasingly open at the back while they threw attackers forward. Substitute Koo Ja-Cheol was unable to control Dejagah's cross in front of goal, and at the other end, Ribery had a stinging attempt saved by Diego Benaglio when the Frenchman was through on goal.

The visitors pressed more and more for an equaliser late in the game, but were ultimately unable to restore parity, as the Bavarians held firm just long enough. Olic's hard work created a late second goal, which effectively ended the game a minute early.

The result sees Bayern keep pace with Dortmund atop the table on 40 points, with a goal difference of +4 separating the Bavarians from the title holders. Wolfsburg are ninth now, with 23 points from 19 games.


FC Bayern München

1
Manuel Neuer
Goalkeeper
2.5
13
Rafinha
Defender
79′
2.0
17
Jerome Boateng
Defender
3.0
21
Philipp Lahm
Defender
2.5
28
2.5
7
Franck Ribéry
Midfielder
88′
3.0
10
Arjen Robben
Striker
92′
3.0
31
2.5
39
Toni Kroos
Midfielder
2.5
25
2.5
33
Mario Gomez
Striker
60′ 75′
2.5

VfL Wolfsburg

2.5
1
Diego Benaglio
Goalkeeper
2.5
3
2.5
4
Marcel Schäfer
Defender
3.0
23
Marco Russ
Defender
47′
2.0
29
Chris
Defender
41′
3.0
34
2.5
13
Makoto Hasebe
Midfielder
59′ 82′
2.0
15
Christian Träsch
Midfielder
2.5
20
Petr Jirácek
Midfielder
66′
2.5
18
2.5
24
Ashkan Dejagah
Midfielder

Substitutes

22
Hans-Jörg Butt
Goalkeeper
-
2
Breno
Defender
-
23
Danijel Pranjic
Midfielder
-
27
David Alaba
Midfielder
88′
-
30
Luiz Gustavo Dias
Midfielder
66′
2.5
44
-
11
Ivica Olic
Striker
75′
3.0

Substitutes

-
35
Marwin Hitz
Goalkeeper
3.0
14
Koo Ja-Cheol
Midfielder
41′
-
7
Josue
Midfielder
-
11
Hasan Salihamidzic
Midfielder
-
30
Yohandri Orozco
Midfielder
-
40
2.5
44

Coach/Manager

-
-

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker
Schalke
29 6
Mario Gomez Mario Gomez
Striker
Bayern Munich
26 4
Robert  Lewandowski Robert Lewandowski
Striker
Borussia Dortmund
22 0
Lukas Podolski Lukas Podolski
Striker
FC Koln
18 3
Claudio Pizarro Claudio Pizarro
Striker
Werder Bremen
18 2