20th matchday
Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim continue their winless streak
Hoffenheim’s Grischa Prömel (l) takes a point from Wolfsburg. photo
© Soeren Stache/dpa
Both coaches are in focus in the midfield duel between Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim. After the draw, both Kovac and Matarazzo can’t really be satisfied.
In the midst of discussions about their coaches, VfL Wolfsburg and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are still eagerly awaiting an end to their winless streak in the Bundesliga. The two midfield teams came in Wolfsburg did not go beyond 2:2 (0:1).
The Lower Saxony team, who got their fourth draw in a row, have now been waiting for three points for five games, the Kraichgauer team for six. Substitute Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer (59th minute/70th) equalized Hoffenheim’s opening goals by Maximilian Beier (6th) and Grischa Prömel (66th).
The VfL coach Niko Kovac, who has come under criticism, probably did not promote himself to the sporting leadership due to his team’s weak performance over long stretches. The VfL fans among the 22,917 spectators often expressed their displeasure with their team’s sporting activities by whistling.
Both teams have been languishing in everyday Bundesliga life in the past few weeks. Before the appearance in the VW city, Hoffenheim had only managed one win from the last ten games. Coach Kovac is still under a lot of pressure. For VfL, who started the season with European Cup ambitions, the current situation does not match their high goals.
Behrens in Wolfsburg’s starting eleven
It was the same at the start of the game. Amid the home fans’ deafening whistle protest against the Bundesliga’s investor deal, Beier provided a loud signal for the guests to leave. The fine technician dribbled around the unfortunate-looking Sebastiaan Bornauw and then shot low into the net.
A setback for Kovac. Managing director Marcel Schäfer expressed his confidence in the coach before the game and said that together they believed in the turnaround. To initiate this, the hosts strengthened themselves in the winter with attacker Kevin Behrens. “With Kevin it’s the case that he’s in the feed,” praised Kovac on DAZN. The entry from league rivals 1. FC Union Berlin, who played from the start, remained pale for long stretches.
Hoffenheim more stable in the first half
On the other hand, coach Pellegrino Matarazzo expected ex-Wolfsburg player Wout Weghorst to provide the right bite in the attack and also put returnee Ozan Kabak in the starting line-up. Hoffenheim seemed more stable than VfL in the first half. Even if Wolfsburg repeatedly caused danger. Wind (20th) failed at the post and at the well-disposed Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann (30th).
After about 30 minutes, referee Florian Badstübner stopped the game because VfL fans had thrown small objects onto the field. Shortly afterwards things continued. In terms of sport, things remained manageable.
Majer brought new life into the game when he curled a low shot into the goal. Captain Maximilian Arnold’s mistake after goalkeeper Koen Casteels’ pass helped Prömel take the visitors’ lead again. Majer then scored the final point with a converted penalty.