Bayern finally do their talking on the pitch

Bayern Munich ended a run of four games without a win in Saturday's 3-1 success at Wolfsburg but the talk after the game still revolved around Friday's remarkable news conference by the club hierarchy.

Chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, president Uli Hoeness and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic launched an unprecedented attack on the German press, saying some of the recent coverage had been disrespectful to their players.

The news conference looked like a big own goal after German media predictably reacted with fury and questioned whether Bayern were trying to hinder press freedom.

Hoeness in particular was accused of double standards having previously openly criticized former Germany midfielder Mesut Oezil and Bayer Leverkusen winger Karim Bellarabi. In the very same news conference he had also been very uncomplimentary about former Bayern defender Juan Bernat.

But if the Bayern bosses took a risk by speaking out, they succeeded in taking under pressure coach Niko Kovac off the back pages ahead of the Bundesliga trip to Wolfsburg.

His team suddenly looked back to their best after the poor displays before the international break, with Robert Lewandowski returning to form with two goals and Bayern showing some much-needed grit in prevailing despite Arjen Robben being sent off.

"I am responsible for the football and the team," Kovac said after the game when asked about Friday's news conference.

"I will happily talk to you about tactics or this match but nothing more."

His calmness appeared to have transmitted to his players and it comes at the perfect time for Bayern with a Champions League group stage game at AEK Athens coming on Tuesday.

They drew 1-1 at home to Ajax earlier in the month to complicate group stage progression but will now head to the Greek capital with new-found confidence.

One of the key takeaways from the Wolfsburg game was Thomas Mueller being benched by Kovac, just like he had been for Germany during the week.

The attacker is struggling to find his role for club and country after years of shining despite not being a traditional striker, winger or number 10.

Much-criticized Mueller was one of those Bayern's hierarchy were trying to protect when they lashed out at the media.

But while Joshua Kimmich was all for the move, saying it was "a super sign" that the club "protects its players like this", Mueller parroted his coach.

"We worry about what we do out on the pitch. We did it perfectly," Mueller said.