The Wolves kicked off the new Bundesliga 2 season with a goalless draw. VfL were held to a 0-0 (0-0) stalemate by 1. FC Kaiserslautern at the Volkswagen Arena. After a controlled start, head coach Tobias Strobl’s side increasingly took charge and had the better chances before the break. Clear-cut opportunities were few and far between after the restart, before Wolfsburg goalkeeper Jakub Zielinski produced a fine save to deny Naatan Skyttä.
Team news
VfL named six summer signings in their starting XI in Hauke Wahl, Muhammed Damar, Elvis Rexhbecaj, Fraser Hornby, Fabian Reese and Robert Glatzel. Zielinski was also given his chance in goal, with Timon Wellenreuther unavailable due to a knee injury. For 1. FC Kaiserslautern, returning loanee Jan Elvedi was the only new face in the starting line-up. New signings Erencan Yardimci, Kelven Frees and Thierry Tazemeta started on the bench.
Match summary
After a controlled opening spell, the visitors registered the first good opportunity through Simon Asta, whose header went over the bar (13’). Green-and-White increasingly took the initiative thereafter. Damar fired narrowly wide after being teed up by Reese (16’), before Reese forced FCK goalkeeper Julian Krahl into a save from distance (25’). Damar also tested the visiting keeper from range (28’) and found the side-netting with a deflected effort (34’). Wolfsburg’s best chance followed shortly afterwards: Reese cut the ball back from the byline for Hornby, but Maxwell Gyamfi made a last-ditch clearance off the line (35’). Wahl then struck the outside of the post with a volley (42’), leaving the game goalless at the break.
