VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt played a hard-fought game in the Bundesliga – including a controversial goal.
After three Bundesliga defeats in a row, VfL Wolfsburg was able to take at least one point away from Eintracht Frankfurt: Daniel Bauer’s team earned a 1-1 (0-0). However, the “Wolves” looked like the winner for a long time before Eintracht was able to equalize with a controversial penalty.
In the second game under the interim coach, the “Wolves” presented themselves with a lot of enthusiasm and significantly improved. Aaron Zehnter scored for Wolfsburg (67th minute) and Michy Batshuayi scored for Frankfurt (90th+6).
“It has nothing to do with football anymore. When there are a lot of people in the penalty area, it just happens. Unfortunately, I don’t understand that. He whistled something. I have to be honest, it’s no fun anymore.”said VfL captain Maximilian Arnold to the Sportschau with a view to the controversial penalty decision at the last minute.
And VfL coach Bauer was also extremely disappointed with the outcome of the game. “Our goal was clearly to win this game. We would have done that if the VAR hadn’t thwarted our plans like last week. When you see the pictures, it hurts a lot and is difficult to accept.”he told the sports show.
Frankfurt’s Toppmöller: Good morale shown
Coach Dino Toppmöller’s team was hardly able to convince at all during the game and was lucky to win a point. The lack of consistency remains a loyal companion of the team this season.
“The team showed good morale. We tried everything even after the equalizer. In the end we are happy that we still got the point.”said Eintracht coach Dino Toppmöller to the Sportschau.
Fast start between Frankfurt and Wolfsburg
Both teams started off inspired and highly motivated. The Wolfsburg team combined as if their problems in the past few weeks had only been half as big. And the Frankfurters also acted refreshingly offensively. Both teams did not create any top-class scoring opportunities, but they ensured a high tempo and promising actions.
After twelve minutes it was Mario Götze who took the lead for Frankfurt. His shot from 13 meters and a tight angle narrowly missed the “Wolves” goal. On the other hand, the Hessians were lucky that Christian Eriksen’s direct pass went over the goal two minutes later.
Wolfsburg’s Amoura has the lead
But the longer the first half lasted, the more dominant Eintracht became. The “Wolves” tried to turn their increasingly rare ball wins into scoring opportunities with quick transition play.
After 22 minutes, Mohamed Amoura had the next big opportunity to take the lead after Eriksen’s brilliant cross from the right. But the Wolfsburg attacker, completely free-standing, was unable to shoot the ball directly into the goal from ten meters.
The game remained open and balanced. The Frankfurt team increased the pressure in the final phase of the first half, got a few approaches to the goal and another good opportunity. Arthur Theate had another chance to take the lead after a corner from seven meters away, but Yannick Gerhardt was just able to clear just before the goal line (42′).
Frankfurt’s Zetterer parries twice
The second half began with a committed unity, but they lost their way a little. The Wolfsburg team remained true to their line. They defended stably and looked for their chances with quick counterattacks. But they always lacked the final pass, the final precision. And again it was Amoura who could, perhaps even should, have put the Bauer team in the lead.
After a long-range shot from 18 meters by Eriksen, Eintracht goalkeeper Michael Zetterer let the ball rebound forward. The attacker came to the ball from eleven meters free-standing and shot at Zetterer who had rushed out (59th).
The Frankfurt team continued to struggle, while the Wolfsburg team believed more and more in their chance. And Zehnter took advantage of the opportunity after a cross from Sael Kumbedi from the right side and scored the 1-0 lead from eight meters and an acute angle.
Controversial penalty for Eintracht
Afterwards, the Frankfurt team tried everything to equalize. They kept running, but couldn’t find any playful solutions to put Wolfsburg, who were committed and uncompromisingly defending, in serious trouble.
The fact that Frankfurt still managed to equalize was due to a controversial penalty decision by referee Harm Osmers. Denis Vavro lightly held Theate by his hair and also hit him minimally in the knee. After VAR intervened, Osmers awarded a penalty. Batshuayi converted ice coldly.
If you equalize at the end, you can say it’s good. But we’re still annoyed that it wasn’t three points.”said Frankfurt’s Ansgar Knauff of the Sportschau.
Frankfurt in Leipzig, Wolfsburg against Union
Frankfurt will be guests at RB Leipzig on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m.). Wolfsburg welcomes Union Berlin on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.).