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Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski (r) in a duel with Maxence Lacroix. (Image: dpa)
(Photo: Swen Pförtner/dpa)
Wolfsburg – VfL Wolfsburg dampened the party mood of the German soccer champions Bayern Munich at the season finale of the Bundesliga.
One day before the championship celebrations on the balcony of the town hall in Munich, coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team couldn’t get past a 2-2 (2-1) lead. Top attacker Robert Lewandowski was once again successful and with 35 goals of the season he got his fifth top scorer in a row.
The game started a few minutes later because around 20 to 30 masked VfL supporters burned pyrotechnics in the north stand of the sold-out Volkswagen Arena. Josip Stanisic gave Munich the lead in front of 30,000 spectators (17th minute). Lewandowski made it 2-0 (40′). Jonas Wind shortened the lead for Wolfsburg just before the half-time break, and in the second half Max Kruse equalized for VfL (58′).
After the 2-2 draw against VfB Stuttgart and the 1-3 draw at Mainz 05, the record champions made a good start, but became too relaxed as the game progressed. For the third time in a row, Bayern remained without a win.
Wolves had their first big chance of the game when John Anthony Brooks, who was playing in his last game for VfL, headed the ball against the post. Newly in defence, Stanisic did better at the other end, scoring the visitors’ lead with a header. Lewandowski, who suits Wolfsburg particularly well, did not stay idle for long: in the 11th minute, he finished in the penalty area for the first time. Casteels, who had returned to the starting XI of VfL, parried the ball.
It could possibly have been the last Bundesliga game for the 33-year-old Pole. Despite his contract until June 2023, rumors of a change persist. According to a report by Sport1, Lewandowski’s advisor and FC Barcelona have agreed verbally on a change in the summer. After the Bayern leadership had stubbornly ruled out a transfer of the star striker this summer, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic confirmed the change request on Saturday.
The Pole didn’t let the media hustle and bustle show anything during the game and scored the 2-0 with a header. Shortly thereafter, he almost increased. Out of nowhere, however, the Dane Jonas Wind (45th) provided the surprising goal a little later.
In the second round, Wolfsburg invested significantly more and scored an undeserved equalizer through Max Kruse. Bayern then put more pressure on, but Wolfsburg kept up with good defensive work and a few counterattacks. In the 87th minute, substitute Leroy Sane ran alone towards the Wolves’ goal, but missed the huge opportunity.
After the game, world footballer Lewandowski was presented with the top scorer cannon. He won the award with a large lead over Patrik Schick from Leverkusen. After the tenth national triumph, Bayern are expected to celebrate in Munich on Saturday evening. On Sunday there will be a party on the town hall balcony – perhaps for the last time with Lewandowski.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220514-99-287986/2
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