VfL Wolfsburg had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened 1. FC Köln on Bundesliga Matchday 19. The point lifted the Billy Goats into the relegation play-off position, while the Wolves lost further ground in the race for the European places.
Three straight draws
VfL have remained unbeaten in their first three games of a calendar year for the first time in nine seasons, but they have also yet to win in 2024 after playing out three consecutive 1-1 draws (against Mainz, Heidenheim and Köln).
Immediate response
Köln opened the scoring through Faride Alidou (38’) but their lead lasted just two minutes, Kevin Paredes restoring parity with his second goal of the campaign. The USA international, who was handed his first start in eight league games, was deployed on the left wing against the Billy Goats and could have scored the winner late on after being played through by Tiago Tomas, but the youngster was denied by a fine reflex save from goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- Possession: WOB 51% – KOE 49%
- Pass completion rate: WOB 80% – KOE 79%
- Attempts on target: WOB 5 – KOE 2
- Distance covered: WOB 119.1 km – KOE 117.8 km
- Sprints: WOB 249 – KOE 226
- Strongest runner: Mattias Svanberg (WOB) 12.0 km – Eric Martel (KOE) 12.2 km
- Fastest runner: Maxence Lacroix (WOB) 33.76 km/h – Jan Thielmann (KOE) 34.12 km/h
