Musiala nets a double to extend Bayern's lead
Bayern Munich brushed off the disappointment of a midweek UEFA Champions League exit to stretch its lead at the top of the Bundesliga with a 3-2 win against Wolfsburg.
Two first-half goals from Jamal Musiala, which came either side of an Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting tap-in, put Hansi Flick's side in control at Volkswagen Arena.
Despite Wout Weghorst and Maximilian Philipp getting on the scoresheet for the hosts, Bayern was able to see out the win.
It extends its advantage over second-placed RB Leipzig in the title race to seven points, with five rounds of games remaining.
The two sides here traded early chances in an exciting start, with Choupo-Moting stinging the palms of Koen Casteels from distance before Manuel Neuer brilliantly kept out a Ridle Baku effort that was dribbling towards goal.
An open game was always going to suit the visitors more, and they took the lead with just 15 minutes gone as Musiala collected a loose ball in the box and dribbled inside before a powerful effort was deflected home.
If Wolfsburg goalkeeper Casteels was maybe unlucky with that one, he had no excuse for Bayern's second, which came about when he dropped a seemingly harmless David Alaba cross at the feet of Choupo-Moting, who couldn't miss from close range.
It looked like Bayern might rue two misses from Leroy Sane in the aftermath of that goal, particularly as Weghorst finished calmly into the far corner after Wolfsburg pinched possession high up the pitch.
But Musiala quickly restored the two-goal advantage with a brilliant, looping header back across goal from Thomas Muller's right-wing cross to make it 3-1 at half-time.
The 18-year-old almost had a hat-trick shortly after the restart but could not get enough power on an effort that was cleared off the line by Maxence Lacroix.
Wolfsburg made the most of that escape by almost immediately moving within a goal of Bayern, Philipp sidefooting home a delicious cross from the left-hand side.
The hosts would have hoped to use that goal as a springboard to a rewarding comeback, but they were unable to build sustained pressure across the remaining half-hour as the league leader held on for an important three points.
Bayern is back in Bundesliga action on Wednesday (AEST) when it faces Bayer Leverkusen at Allianz Arena. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, will continue its UEFA Champions League 2021-2022 chase at home to mid-table Stuttgart on Thursday (AEST).
