So that’s it for the 2023/24 season! After an up-and-down campaign, the Wolves went into the summer break on the back of a 3-1 defeat by 1. FSV Mainz 05, but there was still plenty of cause for loud applause.
New blood: Bennit Bröger became the third-youngest debutant in Wolfsburg’s Bundesliga history when he came on in the 80th minute. Only current captain Maximilian Arnold (17 years and 183 days in 2011) and Ismail Azzaoui (17 years and 319 days in 2015) were younger on their first appearance than Bröger, who made his bow at the age of 17 years and 322 days. The midfielder has been one of the best players for VfL in the U19 Bundesliga this season with seven goals and 15 assists.
Forgettable finale: The concluding day of the Bundesliga season has not been kind to VfL in the last few years. The Wolves have now failed to win their last five Matchday 34 fixtures (D1 L4), although their most recent success was a historic one: the 8-1 drubbing of FC Augsburg on 18 May 2019 is the club’s biggest Bundesliga win.
Final farewell: After over eight years and 275 competitive games, Koen Casteels stood between the posts for the Green-and-Whites for the very last time against Mainz. The VfL goalkeeper was given a standing ovation by the cheering fans after the final whistle at the Volkswagen Arena and was also voted Man of the Match as a gesture with 41 percent of the votes.
Head-to-head comparison
Attempts on goal: WOB 12 – M05 12
Distance covered: WOB 113.5 km – M05 114.9 km
Possession: WOB 60% – M05 40%
Pass completion rate: WOB 80% – M05 70%
Sprints: WOB 244 – M05 229
Challenges won: WOB 101 – M05 90
Fastest player: Kilian Fischer (WOB) 34.79 km/h – Dominik Kohr (M05) 34.19 km/h
