After weathering an early assault on their goal from Augsburg, the Wolves broke the deadlock when Josuha Guilavogui netted from close range before William’s low effort gave Bruno Labbadia’s side a commanding 2-0 lead at the interval. Rani Khedira pulled a goal back for the hosts four minutes after the restart, and VfL’s lead was wiped out just ten minutes later when half-time substitute Sergio Cordova headed past Koen Casteels. The visitors had the last laugh, though, as Gerhardt struck in the final minute to give the Wolves a fifth win in their last six games.
Itter replaces Roussillon
Labbadia made just one change to the side that beat VfB Stuttgart at the Volkswagen Arena on Tuesday. With Jerome Roussillon absent through injury, 19-year-old defender Gian-Luca Itter was handed his first start of the campaign against Manuel Baum’s team.
Wolves strike first
The Green-Whites had won four of their previous five league matches coming into this game but Augsburg went closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening quarter of an hour, Marco Richter firing straight at Casteels before the Belgian custodian got down low to save Alfred Finnbogason’s goal-bound effort. VfL improved as the first half wore on, however, and took the lead when Guilavogui connected with John Anthony Brooks’ flick across the six-yard area to score his second goal in as many league games. Labbadia’s side doubled their advantage just eight minutes later, William firing low into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty box to leave the hosts with a mountain to climb at the break.
Gerhardt earns Wolves all three points
The ‘Fuggerstädter’ made a double change at half-time, bringing on Cordova and Andre Hahn for Richter and Michael Gregoritsch. The double substitution paid quick dividends as Khedira slotted past Casteels following a goal-mouth scramble before Venezuela international Cordova headed home the equaliser just before the hour mark. Admir Mehmedi went close to restoring the Wolves’ lead with ten minutes remaining, firing over the crossbar from deep inside the penalty area, but Gerhardt’s cool finish from Renato Steffen’s cross snatched all three points for VfL, who climb into fifth place in the Bundesliga standings.
Augsburg: Luthe - Schmid, Gouweleeuw, Danso, Stafylidis (Framberger 83’) - Khedira, Baier - Koo, Richter (Hahn 46’) - Gregoritsch (Cordova 46’) - Finnbogason
Wolfsburg: Casteels - William, Knoche, Brooks, Itter - Guilavogui - Gerhardt, Arnold (Rexhbecaj 65’)- Mehmedi (Steffen 83’) - Weghorst, Ginczek (Uduokhai 90+3’)
Goals: Guilavogui (33’), William (41’), Khedira (49’), Cordova (59’), Gerhardt (90’)
Yellow cards: Gregoritsch, Khedira, Gouweleeuw / Arnold, Ginczek, William
Attendance: 28,152
Referee: Sören Storks
