Used weekend for Max Kruse (33) and Wolfsburg! Despite the lead against Hoffenheim, VfL botched the game in just four minutes and ended up losing 2-1.
By Kevin Schwank
Things are off to a good start for Kruse and Wolfsburg: While the last foothills of the storm “Zeynep” are raging over the stadium, Jonas Wind (23) is whirling on the pitch. The newcomer from Denmark (who came from Copenhagen in the winter for 12 million euros) even prepares his goal with a back heel himself. The ball then returns to Wind via Kruse and Philipp, who nails the ball from 14 meters up into the right corner (36′). The third goal involvement in the third game for Kruse after moving from Union Berlin!
After that, the striker, who remained without a goal against his favorite opponent Hoffenheim (nine goals in 20 games), has little to celebrate.
Because after the break, Hoffenheim swept over the VfL defence: First, substitute Jacob Bruun Larsen (23) scored with a side kick to equalize (74th). Then the Dane also prepares Kramaric’s 2-1 lead (78′). By the way, the Croatian has just recovered from Corona for the second time!
Woman travels to Istanbul
Bitter for Kruse: In addition to the points, his wife Dilara will soon be gone – at least for a short time. She is flying to Istanbul in the coming days, where she is undergoing treatment on her jaw after an accident a few years ago.
The weather there should also be better than in Wolfsburg (five degrees) – Dilara had to be warmed up by a cozy jacket, the seats (“I have to say: they have great seat heaters!”) and a fag.
Kruse at Sky about the first bankruptcy after two wins in a row: “We get stupid goals. I think we played a good game – but we weren’t alert enough in two crucial moments and we weren’t callous up front. We have a huge chance to make it 2-0 before we equalise. If we do this thing, the bag is closed. That annoys me. We wanted the third win and another quiet week.”
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In addition to the points, Jörg Schmadtke (57) will soon be gone in Wolfsburg. The managing director extended his contract, which expires in the summer, on Friday – but only for seven months until January 31, 2023. The reason: He is still covering the plans for the coming season – then withdraws at the end of the winter transfer window. After that it’s over for the ex-Bundesliga goalkeeper. Schmadtke on Sky: “I will end my managerial career at VfL in 2023.”
And Hoffenheim? The success has pushed him back to fourth place in the Champions League, at least until today. Because goalscorer and preparer Bruun Larsen doesn’t let a black eye stop him. The ex-BVB professional on Sky: “That happened in training with our goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, exactly a week ago. But now everything is okay again.”
And there is consolation for Max Kruse: the points are gone, but Dilara is coming back!