Status: 02.11.2021 8:40 p.m.
VfL Wolfsburg also won the second game under coach Florian Kohfeldt. In the football Champions League, the “Wolves” prevailed on Tuesday evening 2: 1 (1: 1) against RB Salzburg.
The Lower Saxony celebrated their first victory in the competition – after two draws and one defeat (almost two weeks ago in Salzburg). Ridle Baku and Lukas Nmecha met in front of 16,000 spectators for the Bundesliga club, which kept the chance of reaching the round of 16. For Salzburg it was the first defeat in all competitions after 21 unbeaten competitive games.
“We are finally starting to play good football again,” said winning goal scorer Nmecha after the game and praised coach Kohfeldt: “He has made changes, we are a bit different tactically and know exactly what we have to do.” The VfL coach spoke of an “even game that we won with a lot of passion”.
In three weeks’ time the “Wolves” will continue their away game at Sevilla FC, on December 8, Lille will be visiting Wolfsburg on the last day of Group G.
Baku puts Wolfsburg in the front early
Kohfeldt had a double lead against the Austrian champions – Wout Weghorst, who had recovered from his corona infection, stormed next to Nmecha. As with the 2-0 success in Leverkusen, the VfL defensive also acted in a three-way chain.
It was played out in the second minute when Karim Adeyemi suddenly appeared free in the penalty area: At the last moment, however, the German international was so disturbed by Maximilian Arnold that he passed the ball past the goal. Almost in return, the “wolves” struck. Yannick Gerhardt had a free run on the left side, his cross landed on the second post, where Baku scored to 1-0 (3rd).
additional Information
Salzburg equalizes with a free kick
In the period that followed, the Wolfsburg team largely left the ball to the Salzburg team and waited for a counterattack. They did not arise – but the guests did not succeed offensively either, because the VfL defense prevented any attack in a poisonous and strong duel. And yet Salzburg equalized: Maximilian Wöber circled a free kick from 25 meters around the wall into the top right corner of the goal, VfL goalkeeper Koen Casteels did not make the best figure and flew in vain (30th).
Weghorst almost had the perfect answer five minutes later, but the Dutchman struck a Gerhardt flank just over the casing (35th). On the other hand, Brenden Aaronson missed a good opportunity (41.). So it went with the 1-1 break.
Nmecha hits out of nowhere
The second half began like the first – with a great chance for Salzburg’s Adeyemi, but again the 19-year-old put the ball past the goal (49th). In contrast to the first round, Wolfsburg did not have the opening goal ready at first, but felt more and more pressure. Noah Okafor missed the next opportunity for the guests (53rd).
Out of nowhere, the 2: 1 for VfL followed: Arnold’s long pass landed at Nmecha, who did not hesitate in the penalty area and literally nailed the ball under the crossbar (60th). Shortly afterwards, after a quick counterattack via Dodi Lukebakio, the goalscorer got the ball back in almost the same position, but hit the ball over the housing (64th). His goal four minutes earlier was enough to win Wolfsburg because Salzburg was no longer dangerous except for two chances by Benjamin Sesko (83rd) and Rasmus Kristensen (88th).
Matchday 4, November 2nd, 2021, 6:45 p.m.
