The Wolves extended their unbeaten run to four league outings on Matchday 23 thanks to a stubborn defensive display and ruthless finishing, giving them all three points at third-placed Gladbach. Yannick Gerhardt opened the scoring just before the interval with his second goal of the season, before supersub Admir Mehmedi struck twice in the second half to seal the points. Next up for Bruno Labbadia's side is a trip to Werder Bremen on Sunday 3 March (kick-off: 18:00 CET).
No changes for the Wolves
Labbadia named an unchanged VfL line-up for the third straight game, keeping faith with the side that eased to a 3-0 win over 1. FSV Mainz 05 last week. Captain Josuha Guilavogui anchored the midfield, with Wout Weghorst, Renato Steffen and Josip Brekalo occupying the attacking berths.
Gerhardt on target
The hosts enjoyed the better start at the Borussia-Park and Koen Casteels was called into action early to keep out a long-range shot from Matthias Ginter. The Wolves were solid at the back though, and produced some neat build-up play in midfield, even if they initially struggled to make headway in the final third. VfL then survived a scare midway through the half when Florian Neuhaus hit the crossbar, before having an effort scrambled off the line by Robin Knoche. Those misses would prove crucial, as Gerhardt showed no mercy shortly before the break, sweeping in from Jérôme Roussillon's left-wing cross.
Supersub Mehmedi seals the points
Gladbach emerged after the break determined to pull level and the Wolves had to weather an onslaught for the first 15 minutes of the second half, but the team's shape and discipline kept the hosts at arm's length. The complexion of the game changed drastically when Mehmedi, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes, collected a long ball from Casteels, held off his marker and coolly finished past Yann Sommer to give VfL some breathing room. Casteels had to be alert at the other end of the pitch shortly afterwards, producing an outstanding save to deny Belgian compatriot Thorgan Hazard. Mehmedi made sure of the points in the closing stages though, heading in at the back post to punish a defensive mix-up and consolidate VfL's place in the top six.
Borussia Mönchengladbach: Sommer – Johnson, Ginter, Elvedi, Wendt – Kramer, Zakaria (Hofmann 46'), Neuhaus (Drmic 82') – Herrmann (Plea 66'), Stindl, Hazard
VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – William, Knoche, Brooks, Roussillon – Guilavogui, Gerhardt, Arnold – Steffen (Rexhbecaj 78'), Weghorst (Klaus 84'), Brekalo (Mehmedi 64')
Goals: 0-1 Gerhardt (38'), 0-2 Mehmedi (68'), 0-3 Mehmedi (83')
Yellow cards: Neuhaus, Stindl / Brekalo
Attendance: 48,041
Referee: Dr. Robert Kampka (Mainz)
