Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action after the winter break with a home clash against VfL Wolfsburg, looking to pick up where they left off in 2025. The Rekordmeister set the pace before the brea...
Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action after the winter break with a home clash against VfL Wolfsburg, looking to pick up where they left off in 2025. The Rekordmeister set the pace before the break and will again be favourites at the Allianz Arena, but Wolfsburg arrive with confidence after picking up some good results themselves.
Form guide before the winter break
Bayern went into the pause in strong shape, winning two of their last three league matches. Victories over Heidenheim (4-0) and Stuttgart (5-0) and a hard-fought draw against Mainz (2-2). Defensively solid and still ruthless in possession, Bayern finished the first half of the season as the benchmark for everyone else.
Wolfsburg’s form was more mixed but encouraging in spells.Die Wölfe collected six points from their final three games, including two 3-1 wins against Gladbach and Union Berlin before losing their last match in 2025 3-4 against Freiburg. Looking at these results, goals were rarely the problem, even when results didn’t fully follow.
Team news
Bayern will be without several notable names tomorrow. Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Sacha Boey, Joshua Kimmich and Nicolas Jackson are all unavailable. Kompany confirmed that Musiala is close but not ready yet:
“He’s not ready for this game yet. We’re close, but we don’t want to rush that final step.”
Wolfsburg also travel south depleted, missing Mohamed Amoura, Bence Dárdai, Jonas Wind, Joakim Mæhle and Jenson Seelt, a list that removes significant quality at both ends of the pitch.
Kompany’s focus and Bayern’s mindset
Kompany was full of respect for Wolfsburg’s attacking qualities:
“Wolfsburg's strengths are clear; they are a strong attacking team and always dangerous in front of goal. They've scored a lot of goals in recent games. It's not a simple game.”
At the same time, the Bayern coach stressed that execution of Bayern’s own game will be decisive.
He also addressed the recent attention around 17-year-old Lennart Karl after the youngster publicly mentioned a dream of playing for Real Madrid. Kompany played the situation down, praising Karl’s professionalism and response in training, and making it clear the focus remains firmly on performances and development.
From a squad-building perspective, sporting director Max Eberl reiterated Bayern’s desire to secure the future of Dayot Upamecano:
“It’s no secret that we’re determined to extend his contract, because he is so important to us from a sporting perspective.”
However, a final decision is yet to be announced by the club.
Wolfsburg’s view
Wolfsburg coach Daniel Bauer knows the scale of the task:
“No team has yet found a magic formula. Bayern's dominance during the first half of the season was extraordinary.”
He emphasised belief, intensity and running power as key ingredients if Wolfsburg are to trouble the league leaders.
Bauer's idea of fielding as many playmakers as possible in a 5-person-midfield is quite unique and will make for a very creative attacking force - as it was already at display in recent games. Patrick Wimmer has stood out under Bauer, it will be exciting to see if he can keep up his good form.
Predicted lineups
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1):Neuer - Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Guerreiro - Goretzka, Pavlovic - Olise, Karl, Díaz - Kane
VfL Wolfsburg (4-2-3-1):Grabara - Kumbedi, Vavro, Koulierakis, Zehnter - Arnold, Gerhardt - Wimmer, Majer, Eriksen - Pejcinovic
Bayern’s dominance and depth make them favourites, but Wolfsburg’s willingness to attack could make for an open and entertaining Bundesliga restart.
Category: General Sports
