VfL Wolfsburg: Eriksen’s debut gives hope for more

By Johannes Freytag

4.26 kilometers mileage, nine sprints (top value: 30.9 km/h), 30 ball contacts, 23 passports (78 percent of which arrived at the teammate), six duels (33 percent won), one slide template – that is loud “kicker“The record of Eriksen’s 30-minute mission in Dortmund.

Nothing intoxicating, but the conclusion of his new coach was nevertheless positive: “We really enjoyed seeing him. He adapted very well to our game philosophy. We brought a player who can dominate the game with the ball. His passage, his calm on the ball, he always knows where the opponent is and where the Wolfsburg players are,” said Paul Simonis.

The “wolves” did not play determined enough with their new midfield strategist in Dortmund. Nevertheless, it remained exciting until the end.

For Eriksen it was “special”

Eriksen, who is supposed to be a creative game designer at VfL, was also satisfied, which was more due to his VfL debut in front of 81,365 spectators: “It has been special for me. It is a great stadium. The fans have made noise for 90 minutes. It is a special place.”

On the coming Saturday against RB Leipzig (3:30 p.m., in the NDR Livcenter), the 33-year-old should give his home debut for the “wolves”. A week ago, Eriksen experienced that the mood in the arena cannot be compared to that in Dortmund, he was sitting on the bench 3: 3 against Cologne – after just two training sessions.

Results, table stands and the game days at a glance.

Competition in the VfL midfield

The quick leap into the squad shows how much the competitive struggle in the VfL midfield tightened: For example, Yannick Gerhardt, although not injured, had to take a seat against Cologne in the stands.

Basically, it is clear: Eriksen not only wants to be a replacement, but play as much as possible. After all, the World Cup participation in the coming year is the big goal of the Danish record national player (142 international matches). Many positions are out of the question at VfL. “It is best to influence the game from the center,” says manager Peter Christiansen, “at each of the central midfield positions.”

Majer: “With him we can get even better”

There are already two prominent names at home in Maximilian Arnold and Lovro Majer, plus Patrick Wimmer (offensive) and new summer access Vinicius Souza (defensive) so far. Not to mention that it will also be difficult for talent Bence Dardai or veteran Gerhard to get playing time at all.

Captain Arnold is looking forward to Eriksen: “If he is right, he becomes extremely important for us. Nothing brings him out of the socket so quickly.” The Croatian Majer also relies on positive impulses of the man, who played, among other things, at Manchester United, Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur: “He has a lot of experience. I am sure that he can help us. He can help me. We can get even better with him.” Eriksen was loyal: “Lovro has done it very well recently, I am happy for him.”

Team player’s epitome

A statement that illustrates the difference to earlier big names who laced their soccer shoes in Wolfsburg: In contrast to stars such as Nicklas Bendtner, Stefan Effenberg, Diego or Marcelinho, the epitome of the team player and modest professionals. Scandals or arrogance attacks are not to be expected.

For example, while Bendtner had “seen everything” in the taxi from the train station to the training area in Wolfsburg, Eriksen’s horizon continues: “We often went to Germany during the holidays. Funny, we actually went to the Harz – to Bad Harzburg, to Goslar, more or less around the corner from here.”

The whole football world looked at the Bundesliga club’s new commitment four years ago when he suffered a cardiac arrest at the European Championship.

Eriksen is said to have “wolves” at a higher level

In addition, the 33-year-old should quickly integrate in the squad in view of the five compatriots: “The Danes in the team are very important to me. Usually you have to work out everything alone, but it is easier with compatriots in the cabin. You can talk in Danish, this makes it easier to get used to it and speed up the process.”

For VfL coach Simonis, integration cannot go quickly enough, he already called Eriksen to the team council – as one of five deputies by captain Arnold. “Christian is also a connection between the players and the coaching team. He is a very important person both on and next to the square.” The goal is clear that he should lift the “wolves” to a higher level.

With the supposed competitors Arnold and Majer, it worked at least a week ago: Both scored their first goals against Cologne.

At the “We for you” day, the newcomer talks about its goals with the VfL – and its cardiac arrest at the EM 2021.