VfL Wolfsburg triumphed away from home in impressive fashion on Matchday 22, defeating TSG Hoffenheim 3-2 courtesy of a Wout Weghorst hat-trick.
A formidable performance from the Wolves in Sinsheim saw them take the lead three times in an entertaining encounter, and eventually claim a merited victory.
Triple switch
Head coach Oliver Glasner made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 at home to Fortuna Düsseldorf last weekend, two of which came at the back: John Brooks took over for the suspended Marin Pongracic – the American’s first start alongside Robin Knoche for the first time since Matchday 15 – and Kevin Mbabu slotted in for the injured William. Up front, Weghorst was brought in for Daniel Ginczek, whom he had replaced at half-time the previous week. On the substitutes’ bench, meanwhile, 21-year-old Iba May was included in a VfL Bundesliga matchday squad for the very first time.
Weghorst spot-on
The Wolves looked lively early on, making incursions into the Hoffenheim area, and that pressure told in the 18th minute, when referee Sören Storks awarded a penalty kick to the visitors after Sebastian Rudy had handled in the box. Weghorst stepped up and coolly sent Oliver Baumann the wrong way to maintain his 100 per cent record from the spot in the Bundesliga (six from six).
Subsequently, Hoffenheim briefly rallied, but it was Wolfsburg who looked the more incisive and dangerous team for the remainder of the half, and they could have doubled their advantage through Weghorst, who curled an effort over the bar, or through Mehmedi, who appeared to have scored his team’s second goal only to see it ruled out for offside.
Then, against the run of play, Hoffenheim equalised practically on the stroke of half-time: Kramaric hit the byline and sent in an accurate cross for Christoph Baumgartner, who headed firmly past Casteels.
