VfL Wolfsburg loses against Stuttgart

Wolfsburg – There has not been anything like this in Wolfsburg since his arrival in 2018.

There were only 5,000 spectators in the stadium on Saturday evening, and it wasn’t the majority of them who called. But with the 0: 2 (0: 1) defeat against VfB Stuttgart and in the midst of this worsening crisis of VfL, there were the first loud “Schmadtke out” shouts in the Volkswagen Arena against the long-time successful managing director Sports.

Just three days after losing the Champions League, VfL Wolfsburg had already suffered their fifth consecutive competitive defeat and dropped to tenth place in the Bundesliga in their only remaining competition. Schmadtke himself had already ended his weeks of public restraint before kick-off and stood in front of his team and his coach in a Sky interview. “VfL Wolfsburg is not the disgrace of German football,” replied the 57-year-old to what he thought was excessive criticism after the 3-1 defeat in the decisive Champions League game against OSC Lille.

“Wolves” increasingly perplexed

However, the clear words of the experienced manager only had something of an effect in the first few minutes. Then VfL fell back into the courage, lack of ideas and drivelessness of the Lille game. The Greek Konstantinos Mavropanos took the hammer out on his 24th birthday and hit in the 25th minute with a powerful long-range shot that hit the top right corner of the goal for VfB. Philipp Förster increased to 2-0 (63rd), Wolfsburg loan Omar Marmoush even missed a penalty in the 79th minute.

Even Stuttgart’s forester was surprised at the Wolfsburg’s weak performance. “They weren’t even there today, they didn’t show any resistance. I think that’s not enough for a club like VfL Wolfsburg, ”said Förster. The victory was also necessary for VfB. Because after the successes of FC Augsburg and Berlin Hertha, Stuttgart would have dropped to 16th place in the event of a draw.

On the other hand, there was perplexity on the Wolfsburg side. “We can’t get that damn thing into the gate,” said Maximilian Arnold, but didn’t want to accept a lack of passion: “I don’t see it that way. But in such a phase that it is not so easy to do, it is already clear. If you don’t win games, your self-confidence doesn’t grow either. ” Nothing is working at all at the moment.

Coach Kohfeldt spoke of a “creeping uncertainty”. But he believes in the group and in the quality. “We have a phase that is stupid. We don’t have time to train, we get blows in the neck, ”the coach quarreled.

Wolfsburg disappointing for long stretches

The Wolfsburg were only up to date in the opening minutes. The VfL started in front of 5,000 spectators, but quickly fell back into the courage, lack of ideas and drivelessness of the Lille game. Last year’s fourth even conceded the 0: 1 in excess, because Stuttgart’s Roberto Massimo was injured in a duel with Paulo Otavio in front of the goal, but could only be replaced by Pascal Stenzel afterwards.

In addition, on that evening, Wolfsburg’s injuries were even worse than VfB. The Belgian Aster Vranckx had to be replaced in the 21st minute. Paulo Otavio was carried out of the stadium at the beginning of the second half. The Brazilian twisted his neck in a running duel and slipped away.

Nothing came from his team in the second round either. No rearing up, no functioning pressing, let alone any goal threat. Lukas Nmecha missed the best opportunity miserably (69th). But that also took a mistake by the Stuttgart goalkeeper beforehand. Just like Lille on Wednesday evening, VfB was enough with a disciplined defensive work and a few occasional counterattacks.

The 26-year-old forester was already noticed before the break with a solo over half the field (39th). After a good hour he met Tanguy Coulibaly after preliminary work by Sosa substitute. That some VfL fans shouted “We want to see you fight” afterwards has happened quite often this season. “Schmadtke out!” Was new, however.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 211211-99-348210 / 4