VfL Wolfsburg looked like the winners for a long time at VfB Stuttgart on Saturday afternoon, but let slip the three points in the closing stages. In an even contest, in which the Wolves had the better of the play in the first half, it was John Anthony Brooks who headed in the opening goal from a corner after 13 minutes. With one minute left of the regular 90, Stuttgart substitute Chris Führich equalised to the delight of the home fans. Nevertheless, the point was enough to confirm the Green-and-Whites’ top-flight status for another year.
Florian Kohfeldt’s side are on their travels again on Matchday 33, when they visit 1. FC Köln on Saturday 7 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST).
Goals
- 1-0 Brooks (13th minute): From Maximilian Arnold’s corner, VfL centre-back Brooks leaps highest and guides a fine header into the far corner.
- 1-1 Führich (89’): Enzo Millot crosses from the left to the far post, where fellow substitute Führich is free to volley the ball into the back of the net.
Florian Kohfeldt: “We started the match really well and also played very well. Then we scored from a set piece. After that we were in control and had possession, and VfB couldn’t really get a foothold in the game, but we weren’t able to get a second goal. Stuttgart got better in the last quarter of an hour of the first half and in the second period they had a few shots at goal, without ever really creating a clear-cut chance. Shortly before the end we could have killed the game off but were then unfortunate to concede the equaliser. Still, we’re very happy to have secured our Bundesliga status. Obviously we have different expectations, but I don’t want to downplay this achievement. That’s why today’s a good day and we’re going home feeling good.”
Pellegrino Matarazzo: “Taking into account the result between Bielefeld and Hertha, the situation hasn’t changed much except that we have one game fewer left to play. We’ve still got everything in our own hands. Unfortunately we only picked up one point today, which hurts because our performance was pretty good in the second half. But we only started creating good chances too late in the game. Nevertheless, we’ll keep going and we’ll give it our best shot again in Munich next week.”
Line-ups and stats
VfB Stuttgart: Müller – Mavropanos, Anton, Ito – Karazor (84‘ Millot), Sosa, Thommy (57’ Führich), Endo, Tiago Tomas, Marmoush (57’ Förster) – Kalajdzic
Subs: Bredlow (GK), Bazzoli, Coulibaly, Mangala, Massimo, Tibidi
VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Baku, Lacroix, Brooks, Roussillon (80’ van de Ven) – Arnold, Schlager, Gerhardt (73’ Vranckx), Wind, Kruse (90’ Philipp) – L. Nmecha (73’ F. Nmecha)
Subs: Pervan (GK), Mbabu, Steffen, Bialek, Lukebakio
Goals: 1-0 Brooks (13‘), 1-1 Führich (89‘)
Yellow cards: Sosa, Endo, Karazor / Schlager, Nmecha
Referee: Sven Jablonski (Blumenthal)
Attendance: 52,230 at Mercedes-Benz Arena
