VfL Wolfsburg secured their first win in the Europa League thanks to clinical finishing, and have increased their chances of qualifying for the next round. Manager Dieter Hecking’s team won 4-2 against Russian opponents FK Krasnodar on matchday three of the group phase, marking their first success on the international stage in 1,680 days. Wolfsburg are now second in Group H with four points.
VfL’s goals were scored by Andreas Granqvist with an own-goal (37’), Kevin de Bruyne (46’ and 80’) and Luiz Gustavo (64’). Granqvist also scored a penalty for his team in the second half (51’), with Wanderson (86’) also getting on the scoresheet. The Niedersachsen team have celebrated four victories out of five matches in all competitions. Wolfsburg’s next opponents will be FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday.
VfL’s manager Hecking was without a number of players in Krasnodar, a city that is situated 1,200km south of Moscow. Defender Ricardo Rodriguez (thigh), Niklas Bendtner (groin) and midfielder Aaron Hunt (ankle) were all unavailable for the match against a side that currently sit in fifth place in the Russian league. Record player Marcel Schäfer took Rodriguez’s place in the starting line-up.
Krasnodar made the better start
The opponents showed why Hecking saw them as the strongest team in the group shortly after kick-off. Krasnodar made a quick start, with Brazilian Ari creating a few problems for the Wolfsburg defence. VfL got lucky in the ninth minute when Mauricio Pereyra fired his shot over the crossbar.
The guests had the chance to score through Maldo (13’) and Luiz Gustavo (15’) – but it was the Russians who looked the more threatening. Wolfsburg were showing weakness in attack, with Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne also finding it difficult to get himself into the game. Forwards Ivan Perisic and Daniel Caligiuri were rarely able to make an impact.
Surprisingly, Wolfsburg then had their biggest chance of the match. After great build-up play from de Bruyne, Granqvist scored an own goal after a challenge on Ivica Olic.
De Bruyne kick-starts the second half
The second half started as hoped by VfL. A beautiful shot from de Bruyne was unstoppable, but the celebrations were short-lived. After being contested, the opponents were given a penalty after Naldo’s handball.
The Russians’ one goal deficit was not the only thing that stayed the same, but the style of play was similar to that in the first 45 minutes. Krasnodar were pressing forward towards Wolfburg’s goal, but VfL stayed cool. Luiz Gustavo’s shot was unstoppable and then de Bruyne followed suit on the counter. Wolfsburg were in control of the game towards the end and were supported well by Diego Benaglio. The Swiss keeper was nutmegged by Wanderson, but managed to save Sergej Petrow’s effort in added time.
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VfL Wolfsburg secured their first win in the Europa League thanks to clinical finishing, and have increased their chances of qualifying for the next round. Manager Dieter Hecking’s team won 4-2 against Russian opponents FK Krasnodar on matchday three of the group phase, marking their first success on the international stage in 1,680 days. Wolfsburg are now second in Group H with four points.
VfL’s goals were scored by Andreas Granqvist with an own-goal (37’), Kevin de Bruyne (46’ and 80’) and Luiz Gustavo (64’). Granqvist also scored a penalty for his team in the second half (51’), with Wanderson (86’) also getting on the scoresheet. The Niedersachsen team have celebrated four victories out of five matches in all competitions. Wolfsburg’s next opponents will be FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday.
VfL’s manager Hecking was without a number of players in Krasnodar, a city that is situated 1,200km south of Moscow. Defender Ricardo Rodriguez (thigh), Niklas Bendtner (groin) and midfielder Aaron Hunt (ankle) were all unavailable for the match against a side that currently sit in fifth place in the Russian league. Record player Marcel Schäfer took Rodriguez’s place in the starting line-up.
Krasnodar made the better start
The opponents showed why Hecking saw them as the strongest team in the group shortly after kick-off. Krasnodar made a quick start, with Brazilian Ari creating a few problems for the Wolfsburg defence. VfL got lucky in the ninth minute when Mauricio Pereyra fired his shot over the crossbar.
The guests had the chance to score through Maldo (13’) and Luiz Gustavo (15’) – but it was the Russians who looked the more threatening. Wolfsburg were showing weakness in attack, with Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne also finding it difficult to get himself into the game. Forwards Ivan Perisic and Daniel Caligiuri were rarely able to make an impact.
Surprisingly, Wolfsburg then had their biggest chance of the match. After great build-up play from de Bruyne, Granqvist scored an own goal after a challenge on Ivica Olic.
De Bruyne kick-starts the second half
The second half started as hoped by VfL. A beautiful shot from de Bruyne was unstoppable, but the celebrations were short-lived. After being contested, the opponents were given a penalty after Naldo’s handball.
The Russians’ one goal deficit was not the only thing that stayed the same, but the style of play was similar to that in the first 45 minutes. Krasnodar were pressing forward towards Wolfburg’s goal, but VfL stayed cool. Luiz Gustavo’s shot was unstoppable and then de Bruyne followed suit on the counter. Wolfsburg were in control of the game towards the end and were supported well by Diego Benaglio. The Swiss keeper was nutmegged by Wanderson, but managed to save Sergej Petrow’s effort in added time.
