A last-gasp Robert Lewandowski penalty helped Bayern Munich come from behind to extend their winning run to 13 games in all competitions with a 2-1 triumph at Wolfsburg.
Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes made eight changes to his side following a bout of flu in the Bayern camp and in preparation for Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 first-leg against Besiktas, with Bundesliga top goalscorer Lewandowski, David Alaba and Mats Hummels among the substitutes.
Daniel Didavi broke the deadlock to give the hosts a surprise eighth-minute lead while Arjen Robben failed to level early in the second half from the penalty spot after a fantastic save from goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
But, Sandro Wagner grabbed an equaliser with a deft header after 65 minutes before the Poland international slotted in a stoppage-time penalty as Bayern’s rotated line-up extended their lead at the top of the table to 21 points.
The visitors started on the front foot and only a last-ditch block prevented Javi Martinez’s acrobatic effort from opening the scoring in the third minute following Sebastian Rudy’s inswinging corner.
However, Wolfsburg shocked the Bundesliga leaders in their first attack of the match when a well-worked corner saw Didavi head home Yunus Malli’s far-post cross to lead after eight minutes.
Rudy spurned two good opportunities as Bayern’s frustrations started to show with Thiago, who replaced the suspended Arturo Vidal for his first start in three months due to a thigh injury, and Franck Ribery both receiving yellow cards for cynical fouls as Heynckes’ men registered just one shot on target in a tepid first-half showing.
Wolfsburg immediately broke from the restart before on-loan Liverpool forward Divock Origi was hauled down but Didavi could not add to his tally after firing the resultant free-kick narrowly over the crossbar.
Corentin Tolisso side-footed an effort over after good work from Robben before the French midfielder was involved in a controversial incident to give his side the chance to level the scores.
Martinez burst out of defence and into the home penalty box before finding Wagner in the six-yard box, but his close-range effort was parried by Casteels and Renato Steffen brought down Tolisso as they battled for the rebound with referee Sascha Stegemann pointing to the spot.
However, the Belgium stopper denied Robben with a wonderful fingertip save onto the post before the Wolfsburg defence cleared to maintain their lead, but the visitors increased the pressure on the hosts.
Tolisso squandered a great chance to level when Rafinha’s right-wing cross picked out the midfielder at the far post, but he could only shoot straight at Casteels before Wagner fired well over when in a good position, but the runaway leaders were not to be denied.
Robben eased past Sebastian Jung with his pace and skill before the Dutch winger stood a cross into the six-yard area for Wagner to flick a header into the far corner to equalise for the visitors.
Lewandowski was brought on with 11 minutes remaining as Bayern pushed for a winner with Robben being denied on two occasions before the Dutchman was brought down by Gian-Luca Itter for his side’s second penalty, which the substitute confidently stroked home.
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