'Kies' was very happy after the final whistle as his team-mates rushed to congratulate him. "I'm over the moon I've achieved this special milestone. It proves I've consistently maintained my level in the Bundesliga. I'm proud we've won and the fact the lads have celebrated with me makes this day even more special." Julian Brandt commented on the match: "We played really well, moved the ball well and won lots of possession through counter pressing. My goal was important and it should have settled us down but we could never rest after the early reply." And Kai Havertz said: "We showed we have a lot of quality. The nerves at the end weren't really necessary."
There were five changes to the Bayer 04 starting eleven from the side that faced Schalke. The suspended Panos Retsos and Dominik Kohr were replaced by Jonathan Tah and Julian Baumgartlinger, the skipper Lars Bender returned from injury and took over at right back from Tin Jedvaj. Karim Bellarabi and Lucas Alario came in for Julian Brandt and Leon Bailey. There were four offensive players on the bench in Bailey, Brandt, Stefan Kießling and Joel Pohjanpalo. Wolfsburg had the former Leverkusen player Admir Mehmedi in their line-up.
"I'm expecting an aggressive opponent and we have to be strong from the start," was Herrlich's demand ahead of the kick-off. The Werkself were in determined mood following last weekend's home defeat against Schalke and that was evident early on. It took just 19 seconds before the first big chance to take the lead: Lars Bender broke down the right from the halfway line, played a one-two with Lucas Alario, who skilfully back-heeled the ball, and fired a diagonal shot just wide of the far post – he was really close to scoring.
Bayer 04 started with Kevin Volland on the right wing and Bellarabi playing down the left flank. The opening stages were clearly dominated by the visitors, who moved the ball well, and Volland hit a shot from 20 yards out on nine minutes that the VfL keeper Koen Casteels was able to save. Wolfsburg then had a chance out of the blue when Maximilian Arnold forced Bernd Leno into making a save to keep out his long-range effort on 17 minutes. The Werkself then hit back on 26 minutes: Alario flicked on a free-kick from Charles Aránguiz but the header missed the target. A really impressive attack followed involving Havertz, Baumgartlinger and Alario with Volland's effort at the end being blocked.
The deserved lead soon followed: Arnold fouled Havertz on the right corner of the penalty area and a penalty was awarded. Alario grabbed the ball in place of the usual marksmen Wendell and calmly converted the spot-kick as he tucked the ball just inside the right-hand post to make it 1-0 on 31 minutes – the Brazilian was the first to congratulate the Argentinian on his seventh goal of the season. Bayer 04 controlled proceedings with an impressive passing game, maintained the upper hand against the opponents and deservedly took their lead into the break.
Jedvaj replaced Sven Bender at the start of the second half as the central defender had a problem with his back. The Werkself were on the front foot again straightaway. A free kick from Aránguiz hit the woodwork on 51 minutes and a volley from Julian Baumgartlinger was deflected just wide a minute later. Bayer 04 moved up a gear and, at times, they had VfL on the ropes. Aránguiz was particularly impressive as the driving force in midfield and he worked very well alongside Baumgartlinger in the centre of the park. Julian Brandt replaced Bellarabi on 67 minutes.
The game then really took off . Brandt doubled the lead on 78 minutes with a delightful lob over Casteels following a one-two with Alario and Wolfsburg hit straight back with Mehmedi netting the consolation goal on 79 minutes. Leno got a hand to the ball but was unable to prevent it going in. Volland had a chance to settle matters on 86 minutes but his effort curled past the far post.
There was a great moment for Kießling two minutes before the final whistle when he replaced Baumgartlinger to make his 400th Bundesliga appearance. 'Kies' worked hard and his committed approach won free kicks to help run down the clock. In the 90th minute, William was shown a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Volland. Then the game was over and the Werkself could celebrate. Bayer 04 produced a fine display at Wolfsburg in every respect – including the appearance of Stefan Kießling.
Bundesliga matchday 26 brings Borusssia Mönchengladbach to the BayArena. The match on Saturday, 10 March kicks off at 18.30 CET.
Match stats:
VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Verhaegh, Bruma, Knoche, William – Guilavogui, Arnold (Bazoer 82') – Brekalo (Malli 66'), Didavi, Mehmedi – Origi (Dimata 72')
Bayer 04: Leno – L. Bender, Tah, S. Bender (Jedvaj 46'), Wendell – Aránguiz, Baumgartlinger (Kießling 88') – Volland, Havertz, Bellarabi (Brandt 67') – Alario
Goals: 0-1 Alario (31' pen.), 0-2 Brandt (78'), 1-2 Mehmedi (79')
Referee: Zwayer (Berlin)
Booked: Verhaegh, Didavi, Knoche, Arnold, Bazoer – L. Bender
Sent off: William (90')
Attendance: 24,354
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