First Team

Far too little

Wolves fall 4-0 at VfB Stuttgart.

VfL Wolfsburg came away empty-handed on Matchday 24 of the Bundesliga season. The Green-and-Whites lost 4-0 (3-0) away at VfB Stuttgart on Sunday afternoon. Goals from Deniz Undav (21’) and a brace by Jamie Leweling (30’, 42’) left head coach Daniel Bauer’s side trailing heavily at the break in front of 57,500 spectators at the MHP Arena. The Wolves never found a response after the restart and conceded a fourth late on through Nikolas Nartey (90+5). The result sees VfL slip to 17th place in the table. The Wolves are back in action next Saturday, 7 March (kick-off 15:30 CET), when Hamburger SV visit the Volkswagen Arena for the northern derby.

PERSONNEL

In addition to the long-term absentees, several other professionals were still unavailable to the head coach due to various injuries. Compared to the home game against FC Augsburg, Bauer made two changes to his starting line-up: Konstantinos Koulierakis replaced Denis Vavro. Pharell Hensel also came into the team for the injured Mattias Svanberg, who was ruled out at short notice, making his first Bundesliga start. VfB Stuttgart, who had lost 1-0 to Celtic Glasgow in the Europa League during the week, made five changes under Sebastian Hoeneß.

Match action

Results elsewhere on this matchday had not favoured the Wolves, with their rivals picking up points across the board, meaning VfL approached the already tricky task in 17th place. Stuttgart made the more active start and set early markers. Atakan Karazor tested Kamil Grabara as early as the second minute, and Ermedin Demirovic also got a shot away from a good position shortly afterwards (6’). The best chance of the opening phase fell to Chris Führich, who had a free effort from the left side of the box, but Grabara reacted superbly (14’). At the other end, Hensel tried his luck from distance (15’). Just as it seemed the Green-and-Whites were growing into the game, Stuttgart took the lead (21’) and immediately used the momentum to double their advantage (30’). Lovro Majer had a decent chance to pull one back shortly before the break, narrowly missing to the right (45+2’), but Stuttgart had already made it 3-0 moments earlier (42’).

VfL responded to the setback with a triple substitution at half-time. One of the newcomers, Kento Shiogai, registered the first attempt of the second half in the 48th minute but was denied. Shortly afterwards, he forced Alexander Nübel into a save with a powerful strike (56’). The hosts remained dangerous as well, including an effort into the side-netting (57’) and a chance for Demirovic that Grabara dealt with impressively (83’). Overall, VfL did too little to claw their way back into the contest, while the home side managed their lead. After a long, laboured spell of play, Stuttgart also claimed the second half, delivering a fourth blow just before the final whistle against an ultimately overmatched Wolfsburg side – a painful end to a frustrating afternoon, not least in terms of goal difference.

GOALS

  • 1:0 Undav (21’): Führich swings a cross into the penalty area from the left. The ball is not cleared decisively and drops kindly for Undav, who fires home from close range.
     
  • 2:0 Leweling (30’): Following a swift attack down the left, Führich reaches the byline and pulls the ball back into the centre. Leweling arrives and finishes from short range.
     
  • 3:0 Leweling (43’): After a throw-in, the ball is initially cleared but falls to Leweling. He unleashes a powerful effort on the turn. The shot takes a slight deflection and flies into the net.
     
  • 4:0 Nartey (90+5’): It summed up the afternoon: former Wolf Tiago Tomas breaks through on the left and squares for Nartey. His shot on the run is deflected by Koulierakis, hits the inside of the post and goes in.

Reaction

Daniel Bauer: We saw a very strong performance from VfB, especially in the first half, and we weren’t prepared for it. From a certain point on, we were second best – we have to be honest about that. After that brutal first half, we reacted accordingly and made adjustments, and overall we were able to make the game more open. Nevertheless, Stuttgart controlled the match intelligently with their quality. All in all, it was a deserved defeat. In the final ten games, we will only be able to hold our own if we are brutally disciplined in defence, cut out the mistakes and are prepared to keep putting in the hard yards. Right now, we’re down. But we’ll get back up and find the right players who are mentally and physically ready to step up in the crucial game against HSV next Saturday.

Sebastian Hoeneß: The first half was really superb. I saw a lot of enjoyment in our play and a real drive towards goal, even in the opening 15 minutes. When Wolfsburg had a brief spell of relief, we struck and scored our goals. Just before the break, we were fortunate not to concede. With the clear lead, the direction of the game was naturally set. After the restart, we didn’t allow much and defended very well as a team. All in all, it was a good day for us.

LINE-UPS AND STATISTICS

VfB Stuttgart: Nübel – Jeltsch, Jaquez (68’ Al-Dakhil), Hendriks – Leweling (77’ Assignon), Karazor, Stiller, Führich (88’ Tomas), Undav (77’ Nartey), El Khannouss (88’ Arevalo) – Demirovic

Substitutes: Bredlow (GK), Mittelstädt, Chema, Bouanani

VfL Wolfsburg: Grabara – Kumbedi, Koulierakis, Jenz, Belocian (85’ Zehnter) – Eriksen, Gerhardt, Daghim (46’ Adjetej), Hensel (62’ Lindström), Majer (46’ Shiogai) – Amoura (46’ Pejcinovic)

Substitutes: Müller (GK), Vavro, Souza, Bürger

Goals: 1:0 Undav (21’), 2:0 Leweling (30’), 3:0 Leweling (42’), 4:0 Nartey (90+5’)

Yellow cards: El Khannouss / –

Referee: Patrick Ittrich (Hamburg)

Attendance: 57,500 at the MHP Arena on Sunday afternoon