Bayern Munich went into the Bundesliga’s winter break undefeated and with only four goals allowed in 17 matches. In their first match after the break, that changed rather drastically, though.

“It is often more difficult to win against our training team than perhaps against a team in the Bundesliga,” said Thomas Muller during the break.

“Many teams don’t try to win points against Bayern now,” said Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.

But the unstoppable force in German football began the second half of the season at second-place Wolfsburg — a club mourning the death of player Junior Malanda, who died over the break in a car accident.

With the memory of their departed friend to spur them on, Wolfsburg stunned Bayern by scoring four goals in a span of 73 minutes to win 4–1. Kevin De Bruyne and Das Bost each scored twice, doubling Bayern’s goals conceded total from their previous 1,530 minutes played. And as a final slap in the face, Wolfsburg brought on meme footballer Nicklas Bendtner in the 83rd minute.

This result should be viewed more as a bright spot in a horrible time for Wolfsburg than cause for concern over Bayern. But maybe this will help Muller and his teammates take Bundesliga matches as seriously as they do training sessions.

https://www.gettyimages.com/