The Wolves are out of the DFB Cup following a 2-1 defeat at last year’s semi-finalists 1. FC Union Berlin in the round of 16. After early goals from Luca Waldschmidt for VfL (5’) and Robin Knoche for the hosts (12’), Kevin Behrens netted the winner for Union in the 79th minute.
Niko Kovac’s side return to Bundesliga action this Sunday, 5 February, when they welcome FC Bayern Munich to the Volkswagen Arena (kick-off 17:30 CET).
Reaction
Niko Kovac: “It was obviously a typical cup tie. Both teams gave everything in terms of fight, but there wasn’t much quality on display. We switched off once, but I can give the team credit.”
Urs Fischer: “We needed a moment to get into the game – and then suddenly we were 1-0 behind. It was hugely important that we were able to score the equaliser quickly after that. Then in the second half, the team tried to find solutions with the ball too. They stayed calm, which really pleased me, and at the end we got the winner. Perhaps we wanted it a bit more. My team really worked hard for this win. I’m extremely proud of the group.”
Goals
0-1 Waldschmidt (5’): An early lead for the Wolves – and it’s Waldschmidt! A good pass from Yannick Gerhardt leaves him one-on-one with Frederik Rönnow and he coolly chips the ball into the back of the net.
1-1 Knoche (12’): Josip Juranovic crosses to the far post, where Knoche is unmarked. The former Wolfsburg defender has little trouble beating Pavao Pervan with a first-time finish from close range.
2-1 K. Behrens (79’): Behrens finishes off a textbook Union attack. Rani Khedira is given time on the right flank to deliver a delicate cross to the far post, where Sheraldo Becker nods it down for Behrens to poke home.
Line-ups and stats
1. FC Union Berlin: Rönnow – Doekhi, Knoche, Diogo Leite – Juranovic, R. Khedira, Gießelmann, Seguin, Haberer (63‘ Laidouni)– Becker (83‘Leweling, 90‘ Roussillon), Siebatcheu (63‘ K. Behrens)
Subs: Grill (GK), Baumgartl, Trimmel, Pantovic, Michel
VfL Wolfsburg: Pervan – Baku, Lacroix, Guilavogui, van de Ven, Otavio –Arnold, Gerhardt (66‘ F. Nmecha), Svanberg (83‘ Paredes) – Marmoush (75‘ Wind), Waldschmidt (75‘ Wimmer)
Subs: Klinger (GK), Fischer, Bornauw, Cozza, Franjic
Goals: 0-1 Waldschmidt (5‘), 1-1 Knoche (12‘)
Yellow cards: R. Khedira / Svanberg, van de Ven, F. Nmecha
Yellow-red cards: Gießelmann (88‘)
Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Niederkassel)
Attendance: 22,012 at Alten Försterei (sold out)
