Harry Kane played a crucial role in helping Bayern Munich secure a thrilling 3-2 victory against Wolfsburg, coming from behind to claim the win in Vincent Kompany’s first Bundesliga match as Bayern’s manager. The match, held at Wolfsburg’s Volkswagen Arena on Sunday, was a roller-coaster of emotions, with Bayern displaying both vulnerability and resilience.
Bayern started strongly, with Jamal Musiala putting the visitors ahead in the 19th minute. Musiala’s goal came after some clever play from Harry Kane, who, playing his first full match since the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, was instrumental in Bayern’s attacking movements. Kane found Sacha Boey on the right flank with a well-timed pass. The French defender showcased his dribbling skills, dancing past two Wolfsburg defenders before delivering a precise cut-back to Musiala. The young German forward made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball into the net to give Bayern an early lead. This goal marked Musiala’s sixth in just eight appearances against Wolfsburg, a team he has consistently troubled throughout his career.
Despite Bayern’s promising start, Wolfsburg did not back down. The home side came roaring back in the second half, capitalizing on Bayern’s defensive lapses. Within ten minutes of the restart, Wolfsburg turned the game on its head with two quick goals from Lovro Majer. The Croatian midfielder, known for his agility and technical prowess, first found the net with a powerful strike that left Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich with no chance. Moments later, Majer struck again, this time taking advantage of a defensive error to put Wolfsburg in front. The goals sent shockwaves through the Bayern camp and left the visiting fans in stunned silence.
Bayern’s defensive frailties were evident as Wolfsburg exploited gaps and pressed aggressively. Ralph Hasenhuettl, Wolfsburg’s manager, had clearly instructed his players to disrupt Bayern’s rhythm, and his tactics were paying off. Bayern’s usually reliable backline looked shaky, and their midfield struggled to regain control. The pressure was mounting, and it seemed like Wolfsburg might hand Kompany a disappointing defeat in his Bundesliga debut.
However, Bayern Munich is a club built on a winning mentality, and they were not about to let this match slip away. The turning point came in the 65th minute when Harry Kane, displaying his trademark aerial prowess, rose high to meet a cross. His powerful header forced Wolfsburg defender Jakub Kaminski into a panicked own goal, bringing Bayern level at 2-2. The equalizer was a testament to Kane’s impact on the team, showcasing why Bayern was eager to bring the England captain to Munich. His presence in the box was enough to cause confusion among the Wolfsburg defenders, illustrating the kind of influence he can have even without directly scoring.
With the scores level, Bayern’s confidence grew, and they began to push for a winner. The game became increasingly open, with both teams creating chances, but it was Bayern who eventually found the breakthrough. In the 82nd minute, Kane was once again at the heart of the action. After receiving the ball in midfield, Kane expertly held off his marker before delivering a perfectly weighted pass to Serge Gnabry. The German winger made no mistake, firing a low shot past Wolfsburg’s goalkeeper to give Bayern a 3-2 lead. It was a well-deserved goal for Gnabry, who had been lively throughout the match, and a reminder of Kane’s playmaking ability.
After the match, Harry Kane spoke to Bayern TV, expressing mixed feelings about the performance. “It’s not perfect yet,” Kane admitted, reflecting on the team’s inconsistent display. “We got punished a little in the second half, but we’re still obviously implementing some of the ideas of the coach.” Kane’s comments highlighted the transitional phase Bayern are in, adapting to the new tactics and style brought in by Kompany. “The team is a lot stronger than this,” he added. “I’m happy we’ve got a good week to work now, to get to work on the ideas the coach wants.” Kane’s focus on improvement and cohesion was evident, showing his leadership qualities and commitment to helping Bayern achieve their lofty goals.
Bayern’s midfielder, Joshua Kimmich, echoed Kane’s sentiments during a post-match interview with DAZN. Kimmich admitted that Bayern “lost control of the game due to many mistakes,” acknowledging the team’s need to tighten up defensively. However, he also praised the team’s character and resilience, noting that they “reacted well” after falling behind. Kimmich’s assessment pointed to the areas Bayern must address if they are to remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions.
