WOLFSBURG LEFT BAYERN MUNICH’S unbeaten Bundesliga run in tatters as they stormed to a 4-1 win on an emotional night at the Volkswagen Arena.
The first game back after Germany’s mid-season break gave Wolfsburg’s players and fans the opportunity to honour the life of 20-year-old midfielder Junior Malanda, who died in a car crash earlier this month, before kick-off.
Dieter Hecking’s team, who were 11 points behind leaders Bayern in second before Friday’s match, proceeded to give a stirring performance from the first whistle – Bas 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 Kevin De Bruyne took centre-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.
https://vine.co/v/Ot53HluMdAn
There was a poignant pre-match tribute to Malanda – commemorated with a lengthy period of applause before a moment’s silence.
Cracking player to watch.