VfL Wolfsburg has been unbeaten since the end of September and continues its winning streak in the Bundesliga. In the table, the “Wolves” are only just behind 1. FSV Mainz 05.
Led by Maximilian Arnold, VfL Wolfsburg has continued its upward trend. Coach Niko Kovac’s team won 3-0 (1-0) at 1. FSV Mainz 05, who had been superior for a long time, thanks to a rip-off performance.
The strong captain Arnold recommended himself with a remarkable free kick goal from around 30 meters for the World Cup (70th minute). Patrick Wimmer (33rd) had scored the lead for the “Wolves”, who are unbeaten in six Bundesliga games. Ridle Baku, who was born in Mainz, scored the final point (84th). “If we’re honest, it wasn’t 0: 3”, explained goalscorer Arnold afterwards.
Wolfsburg initially without momentum
Mainz coach Bo Svensson made two changes compared to the defeat in Munich, Dominik Kohr and Marcus Ingvartsen replaced Leandro Barreiro and Jonathan Burkardt in the team. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, started again with the eleven that had beaten VfL Bochum (4-0).
As indicated by Arnold, there was initially little to be seen from the momentum of the past few weeks among the guests. Mainz set the pace: FSV attacked early and won many duels in midfield, kept finding dangerous threats in the opponent’s penalty area, but initially didn’t create any clear chances.
Mainz missed the lead twice
Driven by Anton Stach, who can hope for a World Cup nomination, Mainz did not let the Kovac team develop – but luck was lacking in the end. First VfL goalkeeper Koen Casteels reacted strongly after a deflected shot by Dominik Kohr (27′), shortly afterwards Kohr hit the post again (29′).
Mainz seemed to have everything under control. The guest lead fell out of nowhere: after a corner by national player Arnold, Wimmer pushed the ball from the turn into the bottom corner at the first real VfL chance.
Wolfsburg better in the second half
Only after the change of sides did Wolfsburg open up the game with the lead in the back. Felix Nmecha (58th) hit the crossbar after preliminary work by his brother Lukas, who is also a World Cup option for national coach Hansi Flick, but Mainz continued to put in the greater effort.
Edimilison Fernandes (68th) missed the equalizer with a tight finish before Arnold struck on the other side. The free kick of the 28-year-old fluttered extremely, FSV goalkeeper Robin Zentner looked unhappy. Baku made the decision six minutes before the end, when he ran freely towards Zentner on a counterattack and converted the shot into the far post.
Wolfsburg opens against Dortmund
At the beginning of the 14th matchday of the Bundesliga, VfL Wolfsburg welcomes the runners-up from Dortmund (Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 at 6.30 p.m.). Mainz is challenged a day later by newly promoted Schalke (8:30 p.m.).