First Team

1-0 defeat in Berlin

VfL Wolfsburg slipped to their first loss in 2024.

VfL-Wolfsburg-Spieler Maximilian Arnold im Zweikampf mit einem Gegenspieler.

Following on from four consecutive draws, VfL Wolfsburg tasted defeat for the first time in 2024 with a 1-0 loss at 1. FC Union Berlin. The Wolves were the more proactive team for much of the encounter, but were unable to break down their hosts. Union’s goal, which came out of the blue just before the interval, ultimately proved to be the difference in a match that was interrupted by fan protests for long periods in the first half.

VfL pushed for an equaliser in the second period, but Jonas Wind (64’) and Maxence Lacroix (90’+6) were thwarted by Union’s impressive goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow.

Goal

  • 1-0 Doekhi (45’+21): Unbelievable… Union open the scoring just before the end of added time. Kevin Volland delivers a corner from the left and Danilho Doekhi arrives on the edge of the six-yard box to head in.

Reaction

Niko Kovac: “In terms of passion, intensity and their willingness to cover the ground, the way the boys played today was fantastic. We were much the better team today over the course of the game, which isn’t something you can take for granted here at the Alte Försterei. We created a lot of chances, which is why we never should have lost this match.”

Nenad Bjelica: “I think Wolfsburg were the better team today too. You could tell that eight of our players had been in action against Mainz during the week. The only way to win this game was via set pieces and by battling hard. My players did that. If you look at the number of chances created, this game could certainly have turned out differently.”

Line-ups and stats

1. FC Union Berlin: Rönnow – Doekhi, Knoche, Diogo Leite – Schäfer (59‘ Laidouni), Khedira, Gosens (82‘ Roussillon) – Tousart, Kral (82‘ Jaeckel) – Volland (59‘ Aaronson), Hollerbach (70‘ Kaufmann)

Subs: Schwolow (GK), Schleinitz, Bedia, Vertessen

VfL Wolfsburg: Pervan – Maehle, Jenz (46‘ Zesiger), Lacroix, Rogerio (80‘ Sarr) – Svanberg (80‘ Gerhardt), Arnold – Majer (74‘ Baku), Wind, Paredes (74‘ Cerny) – Behrens

Subs: Klinger (GK), Fischer, Amoako, Kaminski

Goal: 1-0 Doekhi (45’+21)

Yellow cards: Roussillon / Kovac, Arnold, Pervan

Referee: Dr. Matthias Jöllenbeck (Freiburg)

Attendance: 22,012 at Stadion an der Alten Försterei, Berlin