Bayern Munich went into this afternoon's clash with Wolfsburg unbeaten in the Bundesliga, with a proud 100% record at the Allianz Arena under Pep Guardiola.
Wolfsburg made the trip to Bavaria without a point away home so far this season, but did threaten early on through former Bayern midfielder Luis Gustavo.
In the end one moment of quality was enough to settle a tight affair, with Thomas Muller netting from close range for the hosts.
Look back at an efficient performance from the reigning champions with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Afternoon Bundesliga fans. Thanks for joining us for round seven from Germany's top flight, which continues this afternoon with live coverage of Bayern Munich's clash with Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern are really starting to find their way under Pep Guardiola, with his possession-heavy style now matching performances to results. Last week's 4-0 demolition of Schalke was something special from Bayern, their best performance of the campaign to date by some distance.
The champions followed up that victory with another four-goal effort in midweek, continuing in the German Cup by thrashing Hannover. Bayern have now won seven of their last eight in all competitions and remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga, level with arch rivals Borussia Dortmund at the top of the table.
Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal as Bayern bid to maintain their 100% home record in the league. Thomas Muller scored twice on his return to the side in midweek against Hannover and looks the player most likely to give the Spaniard a selection headache this afternoon.
If that deluge of information was not enough to unsettle Wolfsburg fans ahead of their trip to Bavaria today their away record should be. Dieter Hecking's side have lost all three on the road so far this season, scoring just once in the process.
Ill discipline has blighted Wolfsburg's efforts on their travels in recent weeks, with Luis Gustavo sent off in successive away games. The Brazilian is back today though and will surely be fired up to impress against his former club, after making a summer switch in search of regular first-team football.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received word on today's starting XI's from the Allianz and there is news of a change for Bayern, with Muller indeed earning a recall ahead of Toni Kroos. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.
BAYERN XI: Neuer, Dante, Rafinha, Boateng, Lahm, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Ribery, Robben, Muller, Mandzukic
WOLFSBURG XI: Benaglio, Trasch, Naldo, Knoche, Rodriguez, Luiz Gustavo, Polak, Koo, Diego, M. Schafer, Olic
Kroos is mightily unlucky to lose his place in Bayern's starting XI this afternoon, with Muller's impressive showing in midweek prompting a shift in midfield. He will likely come in to play just off Mario Mandzukic, with Bastian Schweinsteiger swtiching to a deeper position alongside Philipp Lahm.
Wolfsburg meanwhile have made three changes this afternoon, with a mole solid looking lineup surely a sign that they visitors will look to counter. First of all Timm Klose is out in favour of Robin Knoche, who starts in central defence. There is also no place for Ivan Perisic, with Jan Polak brought in to play alongside Gustavo in central midfield.
The visitors are also without influential Portuguese playmaker Vieirinha, as he begins a six-moth spell on the sidelines with ruptured cruciate ligaments. That absence puts even more pressure on Diego to provide Ivica Olic with supply in the final third, as he comes up against his former club this afternoon.
Before the two teams emerge it's also worth noting that Mario Gotze is back among the substitutes for the first time in four weeks, with the midfielder fully recovered from an ankle injury. Expect the playmaker to feature at some stage, particularly if Wolfsburg can somehow offer stubborn resistance.
PREDICTION! Just time for my call on today's match before kickoff as the two teams emerge, which will hardly be a surprise. I actually think Wolfsburg are capable of scoring this afternoon, but will fall 3-1 as Muller marks his return to the side with a goal.
We are underway and almost immediately Alaba clatters into the back of Trasch, over exuberance there early on from the full-back as we have an early injury stoppage.
Bayern have quickly settled in possession as Robben knocks back to Dante early on. Wolfsburg are sitting deep as expected, with Olic asked to bring his hard-working style to a lonely front role.
Ribery attempts to weave inside the penalty area, but is just denied by a firm but fair challenge from Naldo. The visitors then win a free kick as Rodriguez is brought down on the opposite flank, much to the amusement of former Wolfsburg striker Mandzukic.
CHANCE! Rodriguez continues his early involvement by taking a corner kick, which is put into a dangerous near-post area. Gustavo times his run brilliantly to meet the delivery, but his powerful header is at a nice height for Neuer as he tips over the crossbar. A bright opening for the visitors, who surely won't get too many opportunities like that.
This time it's Bayern's turn to put a set-piece into the penalty area, but Robben's cross misses a packed penalty area, bouncing just out of Schweinsteiger's reach. A wonderful atmosphere at the Allianz this afternoon, with Bayern fans in full voice.
Strong play from Olic out wide wins Wolfsburg a free kick out wide, with Diego's cross towards the back post headed away by Alaba. On the follow-up Polak picks up the pieces, but fouls Alaba as the hosts get a chance to reorganize.
Robben combines with Muller to send a chipped cross hurtling towards the back post, but Wolfsburg have plenty of numbers back and clear through Trasch. The visitors have made a relatively comfortable start, but that can all change very quickly against a team like Bayern.
Strength from Olic helps Wolfsburg win their second corner of the match. Diego trots across to take, with Schafer smashing wide from distance after Dante has headed away the initial cross.
Bayern are annoyed with the referee after Ribery went down under a challenge from Trasch without winning a free kick. Rodriguez then sends a long clearance downfield as Wolfsburg play on, but cannot pick out a run from Olic into the channel.
The hosts win a free kick around 30 yards from goal, which Alaba wants to take. The Austrian gets his wish but his low efforts takes a nick off the wall, hitting Koo before going behind for a corner kick.
YELLOW CARD! Bayern are just struggling to penetrate in the final third as Trasch brings the ball out of defence for Wolfsburg, with Diego then going down under a push from Schweinsteiger. The midfielder gets a booking for that incident, which in fairness looked like a deliberate shove.
YELLOW CARD! Within two minutes Diego follows Schweinsteiger into the referee's notebook, after catching Lahm late in his attempt to win the ball high up the pitch. The Bayern skipper sees the funny side of that challenge, as a second player gets cautioned early on.
Bayern look to finally be settling on the ball as Muller wins a free kick just wide of the penalty area, after going down in aerial tussle with Trasch. Ribery comes over to take and chips towards the back post, but Benaglio is quick off his line to claim.
Wolfsburg are almost caught napping as Naldo's sloppy pass at the back is presented to Mandzukic. He reacts quickly to send a pass into the penalty area, but a lack of support allows Gustavo to turn behind on the cover.
Free kicks are starting to become a feature as the visitors opt for some rotational fouling, with Schafer this time guilty of fouling Muller. Bayern's delivery is once again a disappointment though, with Robben's cross going well wide of the far post without taking a touch.
A good call from the linesman stops Ribery racing onto a chipped pass just inside the penalty area, with the Frenchman rightly judged to be just offside.
Schafer does well to keep a long diagonal in by the corner flag as Wolfsburg look to threaten on the counter, but his cross in search of Diego is headed away by Dante. Still no goals here at the Allianz as Wolfsburg look to see this through to the break.
Trasch just denies Mandzukic a free header at the far post with a vital interception, and also helps clear Robben's following corner kick.
Trasch just denies Mandzukic a free header at the far post with a vital interception, and also helps clear Robben's following corner kick.
Just a minute of additional time at the end of the first half, which ends with Ribery just floating a long ball beyond Mandzukic at the far post.
HALF TIME Bayern 0-0 Wolfsburg
A frustrating first half for Bayern ends in stalemate, with Wolfsburg looking relatively comfortable at the Allianz. A repeat performance after the break would see the visitors end a run of three successive away defeats.
Bayern enjoyed 67% possession in that first period, but were unable to create any clear-cut chances with that dominance on the ball. Ribery has looked most likely to unlock Wolfsburg as he cuts inside with purpose, but Gustavo and Polak have allowed the visitors to rebuff his efforts thus far.
Wolfsburg did in fact create the best opportunity of the match so far early on, with Gustavo forcing a strong stop from Neuer with a powerful header at the near post. Bayern have looked vulnerable from set pieces in recent weeks, perhaps that could be just a chink in their armour moving forward.
BENCH WATCH! If Wolfsburg continue to provide stubborn resistance expect Guardiola to make swift changes in the second half. Kroos and Shaqiri are exciting attacking options at his disposal on the bench, with Gotze also back from injury and waiting in reserve.
BUNDESLIGA SCORES! Just time before hostilities resume at the Allianz to bring you news of the half-time scores across the Bundesliga. Most notably Schalke 04 lead 3-1 at Hoffenheim, while Borussia Dortmund are 2-0 up against Freiburg, with the visitors down to 10 men.
Here come the teams at the Allianz, with Guardiola giving instructions to Robben and Schweinsteiger as they leave the tunnel. The Wolves have been organised so far but can they keep it up to earn a credible point on the road? We will find out shortly!
Early half-hearted penalty appeals for Bayern are turned down as Robben tangles with Gustavo in the box. The Dutchman is adamant he was pushed to the floor, but the decision does not go his way.
Alaba curls a free kick wide from all of 35 yards with Bayern's first shot of the second period. Wolfsburg then rob possession in midfield as Diego pivots before guiding on in search of Schafer, who is beaten for pace by Rafinha on the cover.
Polak brings down Alaba in central midfield but the Austrian is quickly back to his feet, with Dante almost picking out Mandzukic with a diagonal pass into the penalty area.
Bayern are noticeably attempting to stretch the match but continue to be met by a wall of Green defenders, as Trasch once again intercepts.
Neuer confidently catches Schafer's cross, but the midfielder soon gets another chance to deliver from wide. His second delivery is a huge disappointment, failing to beat Boateng at the near post. The visitors must make more of small openings like that to pose a threat.
Robben is just unable to keep the ball in play at full stretch inside the box, as Bayern continue to just lack a cutting edge in the final third. That is not often an accusation you can make about a Guardiola side, as Mandzukic commits a foul.
CHANCE! Wolfburg go close to breaking the deadlock as Schafer races forward to meet Gustavo's teasing cross towards the far post. The midfielder is off balance and heads wide under pressure from Rafinfa. Schafer is adamant that he was pushed, but the referee does not agree.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Guardiola decides he has seen enough and makes a double change, with Kroos on Shaqiri on for Robben and Schweinsteiger. Like-for-like swaps as the visitors look to inject pace into proceedings.
GOAL! Bayern 1-0 Wolfsburg (Muller)
Guardiola's double sub has an instant impact as Bayern break the deadlock through Muller. Shaqiri was involved straight away, feeding Ribery into space at the byline. His cross missed Mandzukic but not Muller, who stole in at far post to tap home. 1-0 to the hosts!
SUBSTITUTION: That goal has forced Hecking's hand as Wolfsburg make a positive first change, which sees Perisic replace Schafer. The visitors are nearly caught cold before making that swap, with Olic caught in possession by Shaqiri but not punished.
YELLOW CARD! Bayern look very confident in possession as we head into the closing stages, with a run of at least 20 passes brought to an end by Mandzukic's late tackle. The referee was quick to spot his challenge on Trasch and cautions the big Croatian.
Rafinha's brilliant cross into the penalty area deserves better concentration from Mandzukic, who took his eye off the ball to spurn a rare sight of goal. Wolfsburg attempt to break as Olic comes deep to receive a pass, but is brought down by a tackle with studs showing from Boateng.
Diego has been consistently fouled this afternoon and Kroos is next to continue that trend, knocking the midfielder off the ball from behind.
Naldo steps out of defence to end Alaba's swashbuckling run into the final third, but Bayern are soon able to recycle possession. Mandzukic is then presented with a chance to shoot from close range, but just takes too long as his eventual shot is quickly charged down by Benaglio.
SUBSTITUTION: Wolfsburg make their second change as Koo is replaced by Arnold, who will look to get up in support of Olic in the final few minutes. The Croatian has endured a tough afternoon, often chasing shadows with little support.
Another swift change for Wolfsburg as Caliguri takes over from Olic. That swap sees Naldo push forward and nearly to instant reward, with his looping header stopped by a smart save from Neuer. Still work to do here for Bayern.
The subs keep coming thick and fast and this time its Bayern's turn to make their final change with fresh legs in attack, as Kirchhoff on for Mandzukic to help close out the match.
Bayern are just dropped a little deeper here as we head towards stoppage time, but Wolfsburg are still struggling to keep possession as Trasch harasses Alaba out wide.
Kroos sends a good ball out to Ribery out wide as he eats up the clock, heading into the first of two additional minutes. Wolfsburg win back the ball but no way through for the visitors, as Knockhe sends straight out of play with an attempted switch.
FULL TIME Bayern 1-0 Wolfsburg
The Bayern machine marches on, with Muller's tap-in enough to earn a fourth successive home win in the Bundesliga. That win will keep Guardiola's side level with Borussia Dortmund at the top of the table, with 19 points from seven matches.
That just about does it for Sports Mole's coverage from the Allianz Arena. Be sure to stick with us though, for comprehensive coverage of every match across Europe'a major leagues this afternoon. Have a great weekend!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
