In the Bundesliga, VfL Wolfsburg has ended its dry spell at 1. FC Köln and won the European Cup.
On Saturday (02/25/2023) coach Niko Kovac’s team won 2-0 (1-0) in Cologne and ended their negative series. Wolfsburg had only got one point from the last four games, and now they have been liberated, which is valuable in the race for international places.
First big choreo, then earlier FC deficit
Although FC’s 75th birthday was almost two weeks ago (February 13), the fans insisted on bathing the stadium in red and white with a huge choreography.
The spectators had just sung themselves frenetically when it was already 0:1. Former Cologne player Yannick Gerhardt (4th) overcame Marvin Schwäbe with a shot that was not particularly well placed – and because of old solidarity, he did not celebrate. Maximilian Arnold (68th) increased the converted penalty kick.
Tough first half in Cologne
The early goal was followed by an extremely uneventful first half. With the lead behind them, Wolfsburg took it slow and easy and FC couldn’t deal with the task of designing the game. The absence of the best scorer Florian Kainz was noticeable.
Only in the 37th minute did Dejan Ljubicic test the Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels, who, however, parried the long-range shot with ease. The chance was not played out, Ljubicic only got the ball because of a mistake in VfL’s build-up game.
Wolfsburg breaks Cologne urge phase
Cologne came out of the dressing room with more vigor and vehemence and also carried away the fans, who had become increasingly calm in the dull first half. Timo Hübers (58th) failed with another long-range shot at Casteels. Steffen Tigges (63rd) hesitated too long in the best position and shot wide.
That took revenge: In the middle of this first phase of pressure from Cologne, Jonas Hector brought down Kilian Fischer. Wolfsburg’s captain Arnold confidently converted the penalty due under the whistles of the spectators. The goal had an effect on Cologne – the momentum of the minutes before the 0:2 was gone.
Wolfsburg now defended deep in their own half and watched for counterattacks. Davie Selke (89th) missed the great opportunity to score.
Cologne has to go to Berlin, Wolfsburg receives SGE
On Matchday 23, Cologne are guests of the top team 1. FC Union Berlin (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.). Wolfsburg welcomes Eintracht Frankfurt (Sunday, 5.30 p.m.).