First Team

End-to-end drama

The Wolves played out a hard-fought 2-2 draw away to RB Leipzig.

VfL Wolfsburg returned from Leipzig with a 2-2 (0-0) draw on Sunday evening. In an intense encounter, the Wolves twice took the lead but were unable to hold on to their advantage on either occasion. After a goalless first half, Mohammed Amoura (52’) and Mattias Svanberg (78’) got on the scoresheet for Wolfsburg, before the hosts responded through Yan Diomande (70’) and Brajan Gruda (89’). In the end, the spoils were shared at the Red Bull Arena in a result that reflected the balance of play.

Personnel

VfL head coach Daniel Bauer made three changes following the 2-1 home defeat to Dortmund. Sael Kumbedi came into the side for the injured Kilian Fischer, while Moritz Jenz replaced Konstantinos Koulierakis and Lovro Majer started in place of Kevin Paredes. RB coach Ole Werner made five alterations after the cup defeat: Max Finkgräfe was named in the starting XI for the first time, replacing the suspended David Raum. Peter Gulacsi returned in goal for Maarten Vandevoordt, while Benjamin Henrichs, Brajan Gruda and Conrad Harder came in for Ridle Baku, Castello Lukeba and Romulo.

Match summary

RB Leipzig took the initiative from the outset and fashioned early chances, but Kamil Grabara was equal to them on several occasions (7’, 12’, 20’). The Wolves defended compactly and looked to strike on the counter, as with Christian Eriksen’s effort (9’). As the half wore on, the hosts pushed the Green-and-Whites deeper into their own half (28’) but were unable to find a breakthrough, with Willi Orban heading wide (32’). Brajan Gruda was also denied by Grabara when through on goal (42’). A disciplined defensive display ensured it remained goalless at the break (45’+3).

Two leads not enough

Leipzig again looked dangerous after the restart (50’), but the Green-and-Whites struck with clinical precision: Amoura fired home after being set up by Adam Daghim (52’). Diomande levelled following a misplaced clearance from Grabara (70’), before Svanberg restored Wolfsburg’s lead (78’). Bauer switched to a back five late on (84’), but Gruda made it 2-2 in the 89th minute. In a heated period of stoppage time, the Wolves defended with passion to secure a point.

Daniel Bauer: It was a very intense Bundesliga match with two contrasting halves. In the first half, we were put under a lot of pressure, made too many mistakes in possession and didn’t find the relief we had planned for. In the second half, we showed everything we’re capable of. Despite taking the lead twice, it was only enough for a draw in the end, but this point is incredibly important for us and, in my view, fully deserved. After the run of defeats, it was crucial to regain some momentum. The lads left their hearts out on the pitch – that was a very valuable step for us.

Ole Werner: Overall, it was a good performance, but the result doesn’t reflect that. Especially in the first half, we have to take the lead – we had two or three clear chances. The game probably unfolds differently then. In the second half as well, we generally moved the ball well and patiently, created dangerous situations in the box, but our finishing wasn’t enough for three points today. We could have defended both goals better. I’m satisfied with the attitude and the performance – but the result doesn’t show that.

Goals

0:1 Amoura (52’): Adam Daghim drives forward powerfully down the right and holds off several opponents to keep possession. He then squares from the right side of the box to Mohammed Amoura, who strikes first time to leave Maarten Vandevoordt with no chance.

1:1 Diomande (70’): A short clearance from Kamil Grabara falls to Brajan Gruda. He keeps his composure and squares for Yan Diomande, who taps into the empty net from close range.

1:2 Svanberg (78’): Lovro Majer finds Jeanuel Belocian in the left half-space, who immediately feeds Mattias Svanberg in stride. The Swede keeps his cool inside the left side of the box and slots a precise left-footed finish into the far corner.

2:2 Gruda (89’): VfL initially fail to fully clear a cross. Brajan Gruda collects the ball on the edge of the box and curls a left-footed effort into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Line-ups and statistics

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi (29’ Vandevoordt) – Henrichs (63’ Baku), Orban, Seiwald (82’ Lukeba), Finkgräfe – Schlager, Gruda, Baumgartner – Diomande, Harder (63’ Romulo), Nusa (82’ Bakayoko)

Substitutes: Bitshiabu, Banzuzi, Maksimovic, Gomis

VfL Wolfsburg: Grabara – Kumbedi, Vavro, Jenz, Belocian – Eriksen, Arnold, Daghim (90’+5 Adjetey), Majer (84’ Pejcinovic), Shiogai (60’ Svanberg) – Amoura (83’ Koulierakis)

Substitutes: Müller (GK), Bürger, Gerhardt, Hensel, Souza

Goals: 0:1 Amoura (52’) 1:1 Diomande (70’) 1:2 Svanberg (78’) 2:2 Gruda (89’)

Yellow cards: Kumbedi, Müller / Schlager

Referee: Dr. Matthias Jöllenbeck