Two goals each for Bas Dost and Kevin de Bruyne
saw Wolfsburg stun Bayern Munich with an emphatic
4-1 win Friday.
The first game back after Germany's mid-season
break gave Wolfsburg's players and fans the
opportunity to honor the life of 20-year-old midfielder
Junior Mandala, who died in a car crash earlier this
month, before kickoff.
Dieter Hecking's team, which was 11 points behind
leader Bayern in second before Friday's match,
proceeded to give a stirring performance from the first
whistle - Dost handing them a fourth-minute lead.
Making only his fourth start of an injury-hit
campaign, Dutch striker Dost doubled his tally in first-
half stoppage time before the excellent De Bruyne took
center stage.
The Belgium international displayed visible emotion in
memory of his countryman Mandala when he made it
3-0 in the 53rd minute.
Although Juan Bernat hit back for Bayern two minutes
later, De Bruyne would mesmerizingly turn Dante
inside-out to rifle in an unstoppable fourth and seal
Bayern's worst league defeat since a 5-1 thrashing
on the same ground in April 2009.
Following a poignant pre-match tribute to Mandala -
commemorated with a lengthy period of applause
before a moment's silence - Wolfsburg stylishly took
the lead from its first attack.
Luiz Gustavo intercepted Thomas Muller's pass to
launch a clinical counterattack. Daniel Caligiuri's
exquisite through ball from the right picked out De
Bruyne, who selflessly touched the ball into Dost's
path to stroke home.
Aside from the goal, Bayern largely bossed the early
exchanges and Wolfsburg defender Robin Knoche
made a timely block to deny Robert Lewandowski in
the 14th minute.
The champion's usual poise deserted it as the half
wore on and it might have been further behind when
Xabi Alonso carelessly gave away possession to De
Bruyne, but he was unable to pick out Dost on this
occasion – the Dutchman scuffing another effort wide
soon after.
However, he would not rue his misses for long.
Bayern half-cleared a stoppage-time set-piece and,
although Dost's contact did not appear to be
completely clean, the Dutchman lashed into the top
corner via the upright.
Though Caligiuri could not convert Ivan Perisic's
superb left-wing cross soon after the interval,
Wolfsburg once again would not pay for its profligacy
as Bayern's defensive efforts completely unravelled.
Center backs Jerome Boateng and Dante's eagerness
to press up the field was exposed as a simple pass
from Maximilian Arnold sent De Bruyne racing clear to
finish coolly.
Bayern reduced the deficit instantly - Bernat left with a
tap in as Naldo failed to clear his initial prod toward
goal.
Wolfsburg was unbowed, and Dost headed back
across goal for Arnold to lift over from close range
after Perisic had further joy down the Bayern right in
the 57th minute.
Home goalkeeper Diego Benaglio pushed a firmly
struck free kick from Arjen Robben over but, with 17
minutes to play, De Bruyne had the sensational final
word.
Arnold was the provider once more as the number of
league goals Bayern has conceded this season was
doubled in one unforgettable outing.