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First-class coup after Corona horror: VfL Wolfsburg defeated VfB Stuttgart 1-0 (0-0) in the last Bundesliga game of the year despite the short-term failure of four of the best players and still won the place of the Champions League before the holidays. four conquered. (The Bundesliga table)
This time, the man of the day was not Wolfsburg’s life insurance company Wout Weghorst, but Josip Brekalo, whose twice deflected pinball free throw found its way into the net in the 49th minute. (The game to read on the ticker)
“I think we had better chances in the first half and we were the best team,” Weghorst said. Sky. “It was very close today. It was not the best football game. Then we won with a free kick, which comes in a little happily. An outstanding team performance. We tackled the challenge superbly. A great compliment.”
After just one loss in the first 13 matchdays, Wolves are on track to make the Champions League clear in 2021, but if nine-goal forward Weghorst is still on board he’s in the stars. (Bundesliga schedule and results)
It is quite possible that the Dutchman, who still has a contract until 2023, will say goodbye and make his dream of the English Premier League come true. At worst for Wolfsburg even in winter. Tottenham Hotspur should remain interested in the forward after flirting last summer.
Weghorst avoids making a clear commitment
With the right offer, Wolfsburg could accept a winter change, according to media reports, and VfL managers are likely to have at least 35-40 million euros as a transfer fee.
Weghorst himself avoids a clear bet on Wolfsburg, but continues to put the Champions League above the Premier League.
“The Champions League is better, we are on the right track,” Weghorst said. “Now we are in fourth place. We are in great shape, we are a great team. For me personally things are also going very well. We are working on something good. The focus is on that.”
A winter outing from Weghorst would be a huge loss for Wolfsburg, but his trainer Oliver Glasner is confident that he will be able to train his valuable storm tank for longer.
“Wout knows very well what he has at VfL Wolfsburg,” Glasner said before the game, “also the status he has in the team, how comfortable he feels and how the guys use him on the field. VfL and we know it. also what we have in Wout “.
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VfL’s stability is currently showing up, despite the Corona outbreak, impressively against Stuttgart, because Lower Saxony had to compete without Maximilian Arnold and Jérôme Rousillon, who tested positive for COVID-19, and their contacts Xaver Schlager and Maximilian Philipp. Young Tim Siersleben, like his teammates, also had to separate on instructions from the health department.
“We were not afraid of the positive tests, but the preparation has already been interrupted,” Weghorst said.
First bankruptcy away from Stuttgart
For the strong away team Stuttgart, meanwhile, it was their first away loss on matchday 13. Despite the difficulties, the Swabians began the second phase of the season in early January in a solid seventh place.
“I think today we were at eye level for long periods or the whole match,” said Marc-Oliver Kempf of Stuttgart. “Today you just noticed that at some point a goal opportunity could decide, of course unfortunate that it is a ping-pong goal where the ball enters the goal at a speed of 2 km / h.”
The home team immediately put it forward, but the VfB was also involved from the start, moving forward and backward at breakneck speed. In the ninth minute of the match, the guests demanded a penalty after a resolute blow by Ridle Baku against Nicolás González, but referee Florian Badstübner was not enough.
“I put the body, but I think you don’t have to give it up,” Baku said. “I’m shoulder to shoulder, so it’s usually the case with one of the losers. It’s a bit tricky in the penalty area, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a penalty, so the right decision.” However, VfB coach Pellegrino Matarazzo said: “You can whistle.”
Wamangituka and González miss great opportunities
Almost in return, Yannick Gerhardt appeared free in front of VfB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, but got stuck with his setter (11th). Shortly before a goal by Gerhardt from Wolfsburg was not recognized for an alleged foul (31), Silas Wamangituka missed free to Koen Casteels (24).
In the second half, the hosts controlled what was happening first after the quick hit and staggered to take the space out of VfB’s speed game. Stuttgart’s offense remained creative and should have leveled, but González missed the free goal from six meters (70). VfB prepared for defeat until the very end, but they also lacked some luck.
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With sports information service (SID)
