Michael Olise scores twice and sets a Bundesliga assist record in Bayern Munich’s 8-1 thrashing of Wolfsburg, extending their lead at the top
MICHAEL Olise scored twice and set a Bundesliga assist record as Bayern Munich crushed Wolfsburg 8-1 on Sunday.
The victory sent the Bavarians 11 points clear at the Bundesliga summit following their ruthless return from the winter break.
Unbeaten Bayern have now dropped just four points in 16 league games this season, the best record in Europe’s top-five leagues.
“It’s not normal; it’s not something I take for granted,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said of his side’s sensational start.
Harry Kane, Luis Diaz, Leon Goretzka and Raphael Guerreiro also scored, while Wolfsburg contributed two own goals.
Olise’s two assists brought his tally to 25 in 50 league games, more than any other player to have played a half-century of Bundesliga matches.
Kane told reporters Olise “has a good football brain, who can come in as a number 10 and connect the play that way”.
“With the end product that Michael delivers, it’s difficult for any full-back to defend against him,” Kane added.
Calling the France winger “an important factor in our game”, Manuel Neuer told DAZN that the team is trying to ensure Olise enjoys his football.
The victory extended Bayern’s dominant record against Wolfsburg, with 21 wins and two draws in their past 23 games in all competitions.
It also marked Wolfsburg’s worst defeat in their league history.
Wolfsburg coach Daniel Bauer told DAZN: “We can only apologise to our fans, who put in the effort to support us, for a bitter defeat.”
Bayern’s last league loss to Wolfsburg came in January 2015, when a 23-year-old Kevin de Bruyne starred for the Wolves.
Wolfsburg’s hopes took an early hit when Killian Fischer deflected a Diaz cross into his own net.
Dzenan Pejcinovic pulled one back but Olise assisted Diaz to restore Bayern’s two-goal cushion before halftime.
Bayern continued the rampage early in the second half, with Olise scoring and forcing Moritz Jenz into another own goal inside three minutes.
Guerreiro, Kane and Olise all scored inside an eight-minute period before Goretzka added another late on.
Goretzka’s goal was Bayern’s 63rd league goal this season, a record for the first 16 matchdays in Bundesliga history.
Kane’s excellent curled effort was his 20th in the league this campaign, keeping him on track to beat Robert Lewandowski’s single-season record.