VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt dropped important points at the end of the 23rd matchday on Sunday (March 5th, 2023) in the Bundesliga. The first half was a treat for fans – the second not so much.
The game started with a curiosity. After about three minutes, Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp noticed that something was wrong with his goal. The left post was higher than the right and it turned out that water had pooled in the cavity under the linkage and was pushing the goal up on that side. But Trapp had the solution, he hung on to the bar, tore at it and pushed out the water – and his box was back to normal.
Three goals in just over 15 minutes
A little later, however, Trapp did not have the right solution to a problem. After a through ball from Yannick Gerhardt, Omar Marmoush went through, rounded the rushing goalkeeper and gave the hosts the lead (10′). Although the team of referees initially ruled offside, the video images quickly showed that it was a misjudgment.
But Frankfurt had a suitable answer ready. After a shot blocked by Jesper Lindström, Aurelio Buta crossed into the middle where top striker Randal Kolo Muani headed in and scored his eleventh goal of the season (22′). Shortly afterwards, a Frenchman from Frankfurt was able to celebrate again: Evan Ndicka put the ball on his left foot after an unsuccessful rescue operation and slammed it into the goal with a dropkick to make it 2-1 for the guests (26th).
Wolfsburg’s offensive with a strong half-time
The game calmed down briefly afterwards. But then there was excitement again in front of the Frankfurter Tor. Marmoush again appeared free in front of Trapp and outwitted the goalkeeper, but Tuta was able to clear his chip ball just before the line (37th). Following the following corner, Trapp parried a volley from Gerhardt (38′).
Basically, apart from the four minutes in which Frankfurt scored its two goals, Wolfsburg was the better team. And that was rewarded. After a free kick by Patrick Wimmer, Gerhardt pushed the ball into the goal from close range to equalize (43′). It was Wolfsburg’s fifth goal of the season from a free-kick. And just before the break, the “Wolves” almost took the lead, but Tuta saved again against Marmoush in the fifth minute of injury time.
Frankfurt dominant, Wolfsburg dangerous
The second half then took some time to get going. Daichi Kamada had the first promising shot after just under ten minutes, but he just missed the goal from 20 meters (55′). At least Frankfurt managed to take control of the game. Oliver Glasner’s team needed a win to get back into the Champions League after Union Berlin, RB Leipzig and SC Freiburg all failed to win at the weekend.
But Wolfsburg had the great opportunity to take the lead – and Gerhardt was involved again. After a dream pass, there was a one-on-one situation against Trapp, which spread so much that the Wolfsburg player couldn’t get the ball past him (63′). Shortly thereafter, Tuta was the savior for Eintracht again, without his rescue operation Marmoush would have run freely towards the Frankfurt goal (65th). Gerhardt then had the 3:2 on his feet again, but finished too unplaced (70th).
Lack of penetrating power in the final phase
In the closing stages, Wolfsburg was the team that put pressure on the win. It was also a groundbreaking game for Niko Kovac’s team, a win would have reduced the gap to Frankfurt in sixth place to two points. In the last third, however, the hosts often acted too imprecisely, there were promising situations, but no chances.
Frankfurt then had a great opportunity to win. Casteels was so badly obstructed by a high ball from his own man that the ball landed in front of Ndicka’s feet, who hit the outside of the post (89′). On the other hand, Lukas Nmecha was just inches away from scoring the winning goal for VfL (90+2). It was the last good opportunity and so both teams missed an important step in the fight for Europe.
Wolfsburg against Union, Frankfurt receives Stuttgart
On Matchday 24, Frankfurt will play VfB Stuttgart in their own stadium (Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Wolfsburg is challenged at home against Union Berlin a day later (7:30 p.m.).