Match awards from Bayern Munich’s 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg

Bayern Munich found themselves level late in the game for the second time this week. After a strong defensive showing by Wolfsburg, it appeared that the Bavarians would be held scoreless at home for the first time in 2019. Luckily, Bayern again found late goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Serge Gnabry and sealed the three points. Here are our match awards.

Jersey swap: Koen Casteels

The Belgian goalkeeper had an epic game for Wolfsburg for 88 minutes. His six saves allowed his team to shut Bayern out for much of the game. Casteels blocked shots that we are used to seeing go into the back of the net, in addition to being very quick on corner kicks. Almost every ball whipped in was intercepted out of the air by him. This caused Bayern to take short corners or to keep them on the ground.

Honorable mention: The entire back line of Wolfsburg.

Tip of the cap: Manuel Neuer

Neuer did everything he needed to do today. He made three saves on his way to his fourth shutout of the year. Neuer was also in full sweeper-keeper mode today, regularly coming out of his box to stop threats before anything happened. He also flexed his passing skills, completing 46 of 47 passes on the day! After receiving the ball, he always looked first to start the attack.

Golf clap: Thomas Müller

Müller had an interesting game. The way that the defense was marking inside the box practically took Lewandowski out of the game. Müller’s crosses at time were a bit lackluster. But fortunately he kept trying. Müller picked up his 11th assist on the season on Bayern’s first goal. He is the only player to have 11 assists in the Hinrunde of a Bundesliga season. Müller’s beautiful ball to Lewandowski also set up the second goal, although Lewy was credited for that assist thanks to a perfect chest trap.

Standing ovation: Serge Gnabry

Gnabry followed up a great performance on Wednesday with another one today. The young winger was able to create many of the scant chances that Bayern had, despite the stingy defense that he was up against. He was in the right place most of the game to help out his team — he was even in the right place to score the goal, but Zirkzee got there first. As was the case on Wednesday, Gnabry got his goal very late, sealing the win for Bayern.

Meister of the match: Joshua Zirkzee

I know that this award is called Meister of the Match, but I am giving Zirkzee this for being Meister of the week! Two game-winners in two games! And both of them came on his first touch, almost directly after coming on as a sub. And let’s not forget that this kid is only 18 years old. Critics may say that both goals happened only because of the great assists by his teammates, but Zirkzee still had to have the composure and the skill to slot them into the back of the net. Plus, that is just a great advantage of being good enough to play for Bayern Munich.