Bayern Munich will once again try to get back on the top of the Bundesliga table when they face struggling VfL Wolfsburg on matchday 14 this weekend. The record champions trail newcomers RB Leipzig by three points before going into the matchday. Carlo Ancelotti’s men would look to cease the gap and get back on the top, providing Leipzig fail to win their game against Ingolstadt.
After a sluggish patch of form, the champions are back in the groove, winning their last three games. The Reds are on the back of a home victory to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the midweek’s champions League fixture. FCB have won 21 of their 22 home games in all competitions against VfL (also 3-3 in December 2001). The Bavarians have scored 62 goals in that period (2.8 per game) and let in 15 (0.7).
Bayern have won their last nine Bundesliga games when they have not been top of the table. Their last such loss dates back to April 2012 (1-0 in Dortmund). They won 21 of the subsequent matches in this scenario (W21, D5).
Robert Lewandowski scored a brace against Mainz, in what was his fourth consecutive brace against the same opposition – a record. However, Lewandowski’s sensational feat last season of scoring five goals in nine minutes came in the corresponding fixture last term. The Pole came on after halftime as a substituted and broke quite a lot of of records within nine minutes.
My friend and Bundesliga commentator Phil Bonney was a witness and commented on the extraordinary moment from last season here in the official Bundesliga video.
The Bavarians have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five league games, something which hasn’t happened for five years. The last time they went on a longer run of conceding in the Bundesliga was between April and August 2011 (7; spanning multiple seasons).
Wolfsburg, one the other hand, are really struggling to find any rhythm this season. The Wolves have found it difficult since the departure of their star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne to Manchester City in 2015. An adequate replacement for the Belgian superstar never arrived, while star players such as Julian Draxler are now sure to leave the Volkswagen Arena next season. It’s clear that Wolfsburg are falling apart, lacking team co-ordination, confidence and scheme. Valerien Ismael’s men are currently sitting at 15th in the table with just 10 points on the board.
Playing at home was one of Die Wolfe’s strongest points in their 2014-15 campaign, in which they managed an impressive second position and also ended up winning the DFB Pokal. This season, however, they are yet to register a single victory at home so far (second worst home side).
Team News
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti will have an almost full fit squad. Arturo Vidal finally started the game against Atletico in midweek, so he is fit to play vs. Wolfsburg. Xabi Alonso however, remains an absentee for the Italian manager, as well as Kingsley Coman and American winger Julian Green. There is no news about Jerome Boateng’s fitness, but one thing is for sure, the German defender is nearing his return to the field after sustaining a slight niggle.
Valerien Ismael doesn’t have any injury issues either. Apart from the injury of Ismail Azzaoui, he will have the privilege to select from a full fit Wolfsburg squad. Paul Seguin, however, will miss out due to suspension.
Predicted Lineups
Bayern Munich: (4-3-3 formation) Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Javi Martinez, Mats Hummels, David Alaba; Philipp Lahm, Arturo Vidal, Thiago Alcantara; Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Ribery.
VfL Wolfsburg: (3-5-2 formation) Diego Benaglio; Ricardo Rodriguez, Robin Knoche, Jeffrey Bruma; Joshua Guilavogui, Daniel Caligiuri, Yannick Gerhardt, Luiz Gustavo, Maximillian Arnold; Julian Draxler, Mario Gomez.
