Wolfsburg's transformation: Why the first home game in 2026 will be a real test for FC Bayern

FC Bayern host VfL Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena for the first competitive match of 2026 on Sunday (kick-off at 17:30 CET). The Wolves from the car manufacturing city are currently undergoing a period of realignment and are hoping to turn things around under their new coach Daniel Bauer. A closer look at the opposition reveals that, despite some promising approaches and renowned players, Wolfsburg have yet to find the consistency they'd hoped for. Will that now change and be sustainable?

Current situation and change of coach

Wolfsburg have been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride in recent years: since qualifying for the Champions League in 2021 under Oliver Glasner, the club from Lower Saxony has only managed to finish in the top half of the table once. Four coaches in four years have hampered consistency. With Daniel Bauer, who's been head coach since November 2025 and worked for many years in the VfL youth academy, they're hoping to bring back the stability they need and, in the medium term, enjoy more successful times in Wolfsburg. Bauer, previously interim coach and U18 boss, has already laid a foundation for the senior team in a short period of time, focusing on fighting spirit, teamwork and mentality, and stressing: "You can see a development, you can see a process."

The team, who are experiencing their second-worst Bundesliga season with 15 points from 15 games, are working hard on the basics: ‘Tussles, slide-tackling, pushing together – football doesn't work without the basics,’ stated the head coach. "The foundation has to be right, and we've managed to achieve that in a very short space of time. Our attacking players have worked incredibly hard. Sometimes they lack the strength needed for attacking, but that's normal." Nevertheless, VfL are hoping to get results away from home in particular: Wolfsburg picked up seven points in their last four games and a total of ten of their 15 points so far on the road – no other Bundesliga team has racked up such a high percentage of points in away games (67 per cent).

Form and results

The record of recent months reveals both positive and negative aspects: after a prolonged slump with only one win in 14 Bundesliga games, Bauer's team secured a draw at Frankfurt (1-1), a home win against Union Berlin (3-1) and an away victory at Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-1). However, the upward trend was curtailed shortly before the winter break by a painful 4-3 loss at home to Freiburg. Wolfsburg are currently 12th in the table – a position that does not meet the club's lofty ambitions.

Tactical approach

Under predecessor Paul Simonis, Wolfsburg demonstrated a highly organised defence, but often lacked pace in attack when transitioning. The team sat very deep and avoided taking risks. There were reasons for that: too often things backfired, with Wolfsburg squandering 15 points after taking the lead this season, more than any other team in the league. What's more, the Wolves have conceded the most penalties (six). Their attacking play was limited, they surprised on too few occasions, individual dribbling was rare and counter-pressing was almost non-existent. Wolfsburg often controlled the ball, but rarely controlled their opponents.

New coach Bauer now faces the challenge of making the team's play bolder and more active. To this end, VfL flew to Lisbon for a winter training camp until 8 January – but without Mohammed Amoura, who is playing in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria. The former Royale Union Saint-Gilloise player is VfL's top scorer with six goals. Against FC Bayern, the striker role will therefore probably fall to Germany U20 international Dzenan Pejcinovic – the 20-year-old, born in Munich, scored a hat-trick against Freiburg three days before Christmas. With just four starts and no goals prior to the game  this season, the young talent, who had returned from Düsseldorf, had had to take a back seat in the attack. Then he broke his duck in Freiburg. It's questionable whether winter signing Cleiton from Flamengo Rio de Janeiro will play a role. The centre-back didn't make the squad at his former club for the round of 16 match against FC Bayern in the Club World Cup.

Vinicius Souza could therefore be a key player in bringing more attacking momentum to the team, as his physical and aggressive style of play can invigorate the midfield. Under Simonis, the Brazilian had more of a defensive role, which pushed the team further back overall. Bauer could use Souza in a more attacking capacity to make his side's game faster and more vertical. Creative players such as Lovro Majer and Christian Eriksen would benefit from this and could set up the wingers better.

Squad and key players

In recent transfer windows, the squad was put together with foresight, but VfL has not yet been able to translate this into results on the pitch. Players such as goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, centre-back Kostas Koulierakis, midfielder Vinicius Souza and striker Mohammed Amoura form a solid core. With a new mentality and the confidence gained from recent successes under Daniel Bauer, hopes are growing in the city that the Wolves will soon show more bite and break free from performing indifferently – but ideally not as early as this Sunday in Munich.

VfL Wolfsburg are opponents for FC Bayern who are well organised defensively but have room for improvement in attack. The team are under a new coach who emphasises fighting spirit and mentality and is trying to make their game somewhat bolder. For FC Bayern, this means patience and concentration will be required to break down the Wolfsburg defence and once again underline their good home form at the Allianz Arena.