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Wolfsburg 2-2 Bayern Munich: Exit-bound Lewandowski on target
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John Skilbeck
Stats Perform
Robert Lewandowski celebrates his goal with Bayern team-mates
Robert Lewandowski celebrates his goal with Bayern team-mates

Robert Lewandowski scored what he hopes will be a farewell goal for Bayern Munich as the champions drew 2-2 at Wolfsburg in their final Bundesliga game of the season.

The perfectly judged header from Lewandowski was his 50th goal of the season, and 35th in the Bundesliga for the campaign, and it followed an opener from Josip Stanisic.

At 2-0 in front after 40 minutes, Bayern looked to be cruising, but Jonas Wind and Max Kruse surprisingly brought the home side back to level terms.

Lewandowski, who has told Bayern he wants to leave, could not find another goal as Bayern were forced to settle for a point in the final game of Julian Nagelsmann's first season at the helm.

Leon Goretzka was denied by a smart early save from Koen Casteels after Thomas Muller's clever ball over the Wolfsburg defence picked out the midfielder's run, and Bayern were soon in front.

The opener came from Stanisic in the 17th minute as the Croatian defender sent a header looping beyond Casteels from Joshua Kimmich's right-wing corner.

Bayern doubled that lead when Lewandowski nodded Muller's cross from the right flank into the left corner. It was his 35th goal in the Bundesliga this term, and gave Muller an 18th assist, with both tallies being league highs.

Wind pulled one back when his shot on the turn arrowed past Manuel Neuer in the 45th minute, and surprisingly the home side drew level in the 58th minute as Kruse stretched at the far post to tap in a low cross from the left from Micky van de Ven.

Lewandowski saw a powerful strike well held by Casteels, Serge Gnabry had a menacing shot deflect just over for a corner, and Kimmich almost scored directly from that set-piece.

Bayern were unbeaten in their last 13 Bundesliga matches against Wolfsburg (W12 D1 L0), outscoring their opponents 46-8 during this run, so the fightback here was a jolt to the champions' system.

Eric Choupo-Moting fired just wide before Leroy Sane missed a glorious late chance to give Bayern a winning finish to the season, running through on goal before dragging a left-footed shot wide of the right post.

What does it mean? Bayern finish with a whimper

Perhaps the Lewandowski transfer request was a distraction, or perhaps there was just no great incentive for Bayern. Maybe they ran into inspired opponents. Whatever the reason, this was a rather flat end to the campaign for the title winners. Bayern's two goals took them to 49 away from home in the league this season, a new Bundesliga record, but their defending was unusually generous. Bayern have usually kept something in reserve for the final day of the season, and had won on the 34th Bundesliga matchday in 14 of the last 15 seasons. This time, it was all rather forgettable.

Lewandowski's goodbye?

The Bayern striking talisman was strolling the pitch with a smile on his face after the final whistle. He had done what he usually does, finding another goal to add to his collection, and that is 35 just in the league this season. No wonder Barcelona fancy him. He finishes the campaign six short of last season's record 41-goal haul, which surpassed Gerd Muller's Bundesliga record. The Bayern frontman had five shots in all, hitting the target with three of those, with an expected goals (xG) total of 0.52. What would Bayern do without him? We might soon learn the answer to that question.

Landmark game for Kimmich

This was Kimmich's 300th competitive game for Bayern and he was a busy presence, with his corner setting up the opener and his set-pieces typically a threat. Some 60 of his 64 passes were accurate, he created a team-high five chances, and he added three interceptions, matching Stanisic for the most by a Bayern player.

What's next?

The season is over for both clubs. Bayern will go after an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title next term, with or without Lewandowski.

Tags

Bayern Munich1. BundesligaWolfsburgRobert Lewandowski
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