VfL Wolfsburg’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over 1. FC Union Berlin on Saturday afternoon was not only their second win in succession, but their first home triumph in the Bundesliga this season. It lifted the Wolves up to 11th place in the table, with Union dropping to tenth.
More facts and figures
Baku named Man of the Match: Ridle Baku’s 71st-minute strike proved to be the winner – and earned the 26-year-old the Man of the Match award with 36 percent of the vote. Goalkeeper Kamil Grabara came second in the poll with 28 percent, while youngster Bence Dardai was third with nine percent.
On the rise: VfL have now collected three wins and two draws from their past five competitive fixtures, but Union appear to be heading in the opposite direction. The capital outfit have registered two draws and three defeats in their last five games – their worst run under head coach Bo Svensson.
First home clean sheet: Saturday’s 1-0 victory was also VfL’s first shut-out on home soil this season.
Fleet-footed sub: Lukas Nmecha made a brief cameo in VfL’s home clash with FC Augsburg earlier this month – his first appearance following injury. He gave his side an immediate lift after entering the fray in the 63rd minute on Saturday, clocking a top speed of 33.3 km/h – faster than any of his team-mates.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
- Attempts: VfL 10 – FCU 14
- Distance covered: VfL 114.1 km – FCU 117.5 km
- Possession: VfL 58% – FCU 42%
- Tackle success rate: VfL 47% – FCU 50%
- Pass completion rate: VfL 83% – FCU 83%
- Dribble success rate: VfL 48% – FCU 49%
- Fastest player: Lukas Nmecha (VfL) 33.3 km/h – Benedict Hollerbach (FCU) 34.4 km/h
- Most distance covered: Kilian Fischer (VfL) 11.8 km – Aljoscha Kemlein (FCU) 12.7 km
