Bayern narrowly wins in Wolfsburg – Kane misses for the first time, relegation battle intensifies

FC Bayern responded to the Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain with a 1-0 (0-0) win at VfL Wolfsburg. Three days after the knockout in Europe, it was a workmanlike victory in the Bundesliga: Michael Olise scored the goal of the day in the 56th minute. Previously, Harry Kane missed a penalty in the first half – for the first time in the Bundesliga, after converting his first 24 penalties in a row.

The match tells of two clearly separated phases. Wolfsburg was the more active team before the break and had several chances, but could not turn their best half hour into anything tangible. Bayern improved after the break, looked more stable, and made consistent use of one of their better moments. For Munich, the result is above all a sign of duty fulfilled after a difficult week; for Wolfsburg, it immediately worsens their situation at the bottom of the table.

Wolfsburg misses the lead – and gets punished for it

In the first 45 minutes, the hosts created many opportunities and were closer to 1-0 than Bayern. Shortly before the break, a shot hit the post, underlining their strong phase – and at the same time exposing the problem: Wolfsburg lacked the final determination in finishing. Against a team like Bayern, this quickly becomes the decisive factor, as the number of your own chances usually decreases as the game progresses.

Bayern, on the other hand, hardly managed a confident performance before the break. Nevertheless, the record champions could have taken the lead: Kane stepped up for a penalty in the 36th minute but failed – a rare scene, as it was his first miss from the spot in the Bundesliga.

Olise decides the game after the break

After the break, the picture changed. Bayern increased their control, stood more compactly, and gained more access to the spaces where Wolfsburg had previously created pace and depth. In this improved phase, the decisive goal was scored: Olise netted in the 56th minute to make it 1-0.

The course of the game made the difference in the result visible. Wolfsburg left their best half unused, Bayern became more efficient after the break – and thus won a game that was characterized less by brilliance than by effect.

The last matchday becomes a final for Wolfsburg

The defeat has serious consequences for VfL: Wolfsburg goes into the last matchday as third from bottom – and faces the equally-pointed second-to-last FC St. Pauli away. The starting position is maximally tense, because direct duels at this stage not only distribute points but also psychological control over the pressure.

Additionally, the situation remains tight because St. Pauli also failed to win and lost 1-2 at RB Leipzig.

The result also affects other clubs: Because Wolfsburg and St. Pauli remained pointless, 1. FC Köln and Werder Bremen are now mathematically safe. Heidenheim is three points behind Wolfsburg and St. Pauli and can further intensify the race with a win on Sunday (5:30 p.m./DAZN) in Cologne.

Bayern takes the three points with difficulty. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, pays dearly for a strong but goalless first half – and must now secure survival in a direct duel on the last matchday.