As of: February 10, 2024 6:10 p.m
Bundesliga soccer team VfL Wolfsburg is still waiting for its first win in 2024. The Lower Saxony team lost 0-1 (0-1) at 1. FC Union Berliln on Saturday. After the sixth game without a win in a row, the air is getting thinner and thinner for VfL coach Niko Kovac.
While the “Wolves” had at least gotten at least one point in each of the four games this year, this time they came away empty-handed – the season goal of reaching the European Cup is becoming more and more distant. With just 23 points, Wolfsburg is twelfth in the table. The game in Berlin once again revealed VfL’s offensive weakness, which occasionally let the ball run well but created far too little goal threat. Winter newcomer Kevin Behrens was also unable to make an impact when he returned to his old place of work.
Kovac is confident
Kovac struggled with the origin of the goal (“that was a foul on Moritz Jens”), but also with the entire course of the game: “My boys dominated the game, we were clearly the better team. But unfortunately the result wasn’t right.” He doesn’t see his position at risk: “Marcel also sees what the boys are doing. The boys train really well week after week. These are the arguments that ultimately contribute to us continuing to look after the team. The team is giving itself “Don’t stop, that’s not the case.”
“The boys were sensationally good today. They did a really great job.”
VfL-Trainer Niko Kovac
It is not expected that the knot will burst soon. Next Saturday (3:30 p.m., NDR Livecenter) Borussia Dortmund will be in the VfL Arena, then the “Wolves” will play in Frankfurt before taking on VfB Stuttgart.
Further information
Results, table standings and match days at a glance. more
Fan protests: game interrupted for more than 30 minutes
The action at the Alte Försterei in the first half was overshadowed by fan protests against the investor plans of the German Football League (DFL). As in previous weeks in other stadiums, tennis balls flew onto the grass. Referee Matthias Jöllenbeck whistled the game again after eleven minutes, but had to stop the game again after a few seconds because of new throws. Both teams were sent to the locker room.
Further information
The fan protests against the DFL’s investor plans continue. On Sunday there were interruptions in Hanover and Wolfsburg, the day before the HSV guest game in Berlin was about to be canceled. more
After a break of around 35 minutes, the game continued – but again only for a short time, this time the tennis balls came from the guest block. Referee Jöllenbeck sent the captains of both teams into the corners, and VfL sports director Marcel Schäfer also spoke to the Wolfsburg supporters. With success: everything continued without any problems after that. VfL coach Kovac showed understanding for the protests, but called for a dialogue between fans and the DFL.
“I think at some point we should find a common way to stop this. We can’t play 30 minutes longer every time.”
VfL coach Niko Kovac on the fan protests
Union’s opening goal shortly before the half-time whistle
Nothing happened in terms of sport for a long time – the “Wolves” had two good chances to score through Jonas Wind, who was denied both times by Frederik Rönnow (5th, 40th). Shortly before the end of the 25-minute stoppage time, Union struck from a standard: Danilho Doekhi scored with a free header after a corner from Kevin Volland. Bitter from VfL’s point of view: The corner was caused by Jenz, who cleared it in front of Andras Schäfer in desperate need and got a bloody nose in the process.
The Wolfsburg team complained in vain about a foul on Jenz, who also only reluctantly left the pitch for treatment. Whether the central defender could actually have prevented the goal being conceded remains speculation. In any case, VfL coach Kovac got so upset on the sidelines that he saw the yellow card.
Majer and Wind missed chances to equalize
The second half began with a great chance for Berlin, Lucas Tousart hit the ball just over the crossbar (47′). On the other side, Lovro Majer missed a huge opportunity to equalize when, after a fine one-two with Wind, he shot centrally past the goal from twelve meters (54th). Rönnow also deflected Wind’s header to the side (64′).
Wolfsburg’s efforts could not be denied, but they lacked penetration in the final third. Maxence Lacroix had the best opportunity when he headed past Rönnow in stoppage time (90+3). So Union achieved a somewhat fortunate victory over time due to the proportions of the game.
Matchday 21, February 10, 2024 3:30 p.m
Union Berlin
1
VfL Wolfsburg
0
Tore:
Union Berlin:
Rönnow – Doekhi, Knoche, Leite – Schäfer (59. Laidouni), Kral (81. Jaeckel), Khedira, Tousart, Gosens (82. Roussillon) – Volland (59. B. Aaronson), Hollerbach (70. M. Kaufmann)
VfL Wolfsburg:
Pervan – Maehle, Lacroix, Jenz (46. Zesiger), Rogério (80. A. Sarr) – Svanberg (80. Gerhardt), Arnold – Majer (74. Baku), Wind, Paredes (74. Cerny) – K. Behrens
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NDR 2 Sport | 02/10/2024 | 11:03 p.m