At a rain-soaked Volkswagen Arena, Bruno Labbadia's side monopolised possession, but passed up a number of good first-half opportunities. The Wolves upped the ante when Jan Moravek was sent off in the 54th minute, but substitute Divock Origi was wasteful in front of goal and when Felix Uduokhai received his marching orders in the closing stages, so went Wolfsburg's hopes of three points. Next up for VfL is a trip to Borussia Mönchengladbach a week on Friday (kick-off: 20:30 CEST).
Uduokhai returns, Bazoer bolsters midfield
Despite the 2-0 win against Freiburg– his first as Wolfsburg coach – last time out, Labbadia made two changes to the starting line-up against Augsburg. Uduokhai made his comeback after injury in place of Ignacio Camacho (muscular problems), while Riechedly Bazoer got the nod ahead of Josip Brekalo. Although available again following suspension, Josuha Guilavogui missed out entirely due to a groin injury.
Wolves dominate possession
Despite the swirling rain at the Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg managed to force Augsburg onto the back foot and enjoyed the lion's share of the early possession – a pattern that would continue throughout the half. Labbadia's side looked particularly threatening down the flanks, with one right-wing cross from Yunus Malli forcing Philipp Max into evasive action early on, before Landry Dimata failed to convert the Wolves' best chance of the half, directing his 31st-minute header at Marwin Hitz in the Augsburg goal. At the other end, chances were fewer and further between; one Michael Gregoritsch effort aside, the visitors conjured nothing of note.
Ten-man visitors hold firm
Augsburg burst out of the blocks at the start of the second period, Jonathan Schmid drawing a low save from Koen Casteels within four minutes of the restart. The visitors' bright opening to the second period was punctured soon after, though, when Moravek was sent off for two bookable offences in under two minutes. Labbadia responded after the hour-mark by introducing Origi, who almost made an instant impact when his wicked shot from the edge of the box drew a decent save from Hitz. At the other end, Augsburg substitute Marco Richter's chip bounced back off the bar, before Paul Jaeckel rampaged out of defence and crashed his own long-range effort against the Augsburg woodwork. Origi again came close in the 72nd minute, but that was the last noteworthy chance; once the hosts were also reduced to ten men when Uduokhai saw red, both sides settled for a point.
VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Verhaegh, Knoche, Uduokhai, William (Steffen 84') – Bazoer (Origi 61'), Arnold, Jaeckel – Didavi, Dimata (Osimhen 80'), Malli
FC Augsburg: Hitz – Schmid, Gouweleeuw, Hinteregger, Max – Khedira, Moravek – Koo, Gregoritsch, Caiuby - Cordova (Richter 46', Kacar 90+3')
Goals: -
Yellow cards: Uduokhai / Gregoritsch; Moravek; Koo
Red cards: Uduokhai (86') / Moravek (54')
Referee: Patrick Ittrich (Hamburg)
Attendance: 23,512
