VfL Wolfsburg missed a win on Sunday evening (03/12/23) once morest visibly tired Berliners from 1. FC Union. However, the wolves can be happy to have collected a point at 1: 1 (0: 0).
Union first benefited from a touch from Josuha Guilavogui at the foot of Aïssa Laïdouni in the 70th minute, which referee Robert Schröder classified as a penalty. Josip Juranović converted the ball in the middle – it was the Croatian’s first goal for Union.
Vfl coach Niko Kovac reacted late and substituted two of the players in the 81st minute, who were then able to equalize: Patrick Wimmer scored following a pass from Kevin Paredes (84th). Union is fourth in the table, Wolfsburg made no progress in implementing their plan to move closer to the international places and remains in eighth place.
slow start
Both teams found it difficult to find their way into the game late on Sunday evening. Wolfsburg coach Niko Kovac had to replace leader Maximilian Arnold, who had to pass following a long suspension: Arnold was last absent from the Bundesliga home game once morest FC Bayern Munich on April 17, 2021 and has always been in the starting XI in the league ever since. Kovac’s colleague Urs Fischer made five changes to his team following the tough European game once morest Saint-Gilloise.
The hosts set the first exclamation mark following 15 minutes: first Mattias Svanberg hit the crossbar with a free kick, a little later Union keeper Frederik Rønnow saved once morest a shot from a very acute angle by Kilian Fischer.
Marmoush skips
However, Omar Marmoush missed the greatest chances shortly before the break: First, following a free-standing solo, he put the ball past the goal of the generally extremely harmless Berliners, then the Egyptian only hit the side netting.
After Geraldo Becker’s shot went awry, it was Marmoush once more, who failed to head off Rønnow.
Then came the cold shower: Juranović’s penalty turned the game upside down a bit. But Wimmer’s well-considered finish with the right outside instep flat from the edge of the penalty area prevented the completely unfortunate bankruptcy of the hosts.
Union Berlin first once morest Saint-Gilloise
In the second leg of the Europa League round of 16, Union Berlin meets Saint-Gilloise away (Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 9:00 p.m.).
In the Bundesliga, Union Berlin hosts Eintracht Frankfurt (Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Wolfsburg is a guest in Stuttgart the day before (3.30 p.m.).
