A successful debut in the brand-new home kit: VfL Wolfsburg ran out 8-2 (4-0) winners against FSV Schöningen in their second pre-season friendly. New signing Robert Glatzel scored his first goals in a Wolfsburg shirt, immediately helping himself to a hat-trick.
Glatzel shows his qualities
The opening half was played almost exclusively in the hosts’ half. The Wolves moved the ball well, repeatedly pinned Schöningen back around their penalty area and took an early lead after capitalising on a misplaced back pass, which Glatzel clinically converted in the ninth minute. It was the new signing’s first goal in a Wolfsburg shirt. Cleiton (19’), Andreas Skov Olsen (24’) and Lovro Majer (30’) all missed further good chances before Cleiton doubled the lead with a powerful long-range strike (34’). Glatzel then completed his hat-trick with two quickfire goals (38’, 39’) before the break to make it 4-0 at half-time.
Besio gets the second half under way
At the interval, VfL head coach Tobias Strobl made changes in almost every position, with only Kilian Fischer, who marked his comeback from an adductor injury in Schöningen, remaining on the pitch. The Green-and-Whites picked up exactly where they had left off, with Alessio Besio adding a fifth after good work from Dzenan Pejcinovic (49’). Max Klump pulled one back from the edge of the box after an error in Wolfsburg’s build-up play (51’), but it did little to change the pattern of the match. It continued to be one-way traffic. Elvis Rexhbecaj first failed to convert a rebound (62’) before finding the net with a precise long-range effort two minutes later to make it 6-1. Pejcinovic converted a penalty (68’) and Bruno Katz added another (78’) to extend the lead further before Moussa Doumbouya completed the scoring with a brilliant solo run to make it 8-2 (84’).
“Played with a lot of energy”
VfL head coach Tobias Strobl: “It was a very informative test. I saw a lot of good moments both in possession and after losing the ball, and the connections on the pitch were already much better than they were last week. The team played with a lot of energy and worked hard for the eight goals. I’m disappointed with the second goal we conceded because it was avoidable, so I’m satisfied with the test, but not completely happy.”
Line-ups and statistics
VfL Wolfsburg – First half: Pervan – Fischer, Wahl (C), Angely, Cleiton – Grzywacz, Majer, Gerhardt – Skov Olsen, Glatzel, Reese
VfL Wolfsburg – Second half: Zielinski – Kumbedi, Neininger, Vavro, Koulierakis, Fischer (64’ Maehle) – Hensel, Rexhbecaj (C) – Katz, Pejcinovic, Besio
Goals: 0-1 Glatzel (9’), 0-2 Cleiton (34’), 0-3 Glatzel (38’), 0-4 Glatzel (39’), 0-5 Besio (49’), 1-5 Klump (51’), 1-6 Rexhbecaj (64’), 1-7 Pejcinovic (68’, pen.), 1-8 Katz (78’), 2-8 Doumbouya (84’)
Attendance: 2,850 at the Elmstadion (Schöningen)
