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Bayern win again

Mark HallamFebruary 15, 2013

Runaway leaders Bayern Munich have not conceded a Bundesliga goal, or dropped a point, since Christmas. Two returnees, former Wolf Mario Mandzukic and injury-plagued Arjen Robben, did the damage against Wolfsburg.

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Bayern's Mario Mandzukic of Croatia scores his side's opening goal during the German first division Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Wolfsburg, Germany, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. (Photo: AP/Michael Sohn)
Image: picture-alliance/AP

Bayern Munich were pushed comparatively hard in Friday's match against Wolfsburg, but still ran out 2-0 winners on the night. The Bavarians temporarily stretched their league lead to 18 points over defending champions Borussia Dortmund, who face high-flying Frankfurt on Saturday evening.

Former Wolfsburg striker Mario Mandzukic and Dutch star Arjen Robben hit the only goals of the evening - and for all their industry and fight, Wolfsburg only managed a single shot on target all game.

Wolfsburg, themselves on a solid run of form since a disastrous start to the season, looked the stronger side in the early going - but most attacks petered out with Manuel Neuer claiming mediocre crosses into the Bayern box.

In the 36th minute, Bayern took the lead from a Toni Kroos free kick. Bastian Schweinsteiger rose to head the far-post cross back across the face of goal, Mandzukic volleyed in a spectacular overhead with his right foot. The ex-Wolfsburg poacher allowed himself only a muted celebration in front of his former fans.

Mandzukic, again chosen over German international Mario Gomez, has banged in 15 league goals in just 19 games for Bayern this season.

Mario Mandzukic celebrates his team's first goal with his team mates during goalkeeper Diego Benaglio (L) picks up the ball out of the goal during the Bundesliga match between VFL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern Muenchen at Volkswagen Arena on February 15, 2013 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo: Boris Streubel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Mandzukic kept his celebrations low key after his two seasons with WolfsburgImage: Getty Images

Rough and tumble, no real threat

A total of five Wolfsburg players were awarded yellow cards for their more overzealous attempts to hold back the Bavarian stars, with Bayern's Dante and Franck Ribery also earning a place in referee Felix Zwayer's book.

Though Bayern carved out only a meager seven shots in the game, the Bundesliga leaders still enjoyed almost 60 percent of the ball.

Manuel Neuer had one key save to make in the second half, stretching to stop a free kick from playmaker Diego - the only Wolfsburg shot to test Neuer all night.

Captain Diego Benaglio, meanwhile, could only stop one of the three shots he faced in between the home team's posts. Substitute Arjen Robben came on in the latter stages of the game, having missed much of the season with injury only to subsequently find both wing positions ably filled by Thomas Müller and Franck Ribery.

After a tricky 10 minutes on the pitch, characterized more by a blazing row with Anatoliy Tymoshchuk than any magic on the ball, Robben was given a late Christmas present by the Wolfsburg back line. Two minutes into stoppage time, Robben was left all alone in the middle of the box, where he could control a cross from Müller on the right and smash the ball under Benaglio.

Bayern have not conceded a league goal since a 1-1 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach on December 14; the league leaders have not lost since Bayer Leverkusen came to town on October 28.

In continental competition, Bayern travel to London on Tuesday for the first leg of their last-16 clash with Arsenal in the Champions League.