Match Report
117th-minute goal condemns BVB to 1-0 defeat in Wolfsburg
Boris Rupert reporting from Wolfsburg
Around 5,000 Black & Yellow fans among the 24,800 spectators in the Volkswagen Arena were on the verge of celebrating in the 14th minute, but Beier was denied by the upright after a strong individual action. Both teams had 11 shots on target, but no goals were scored in the 90 minutes. Three minutes before the end of extra-time, Wind scored to make it 1-0 to VfL.
The scenario:
This was the third time that the two clubs had met in the DFB-Pokal, having previously done so in 2014 (a 2-0 win for BVB in the semi-final) and 2015 (a 3-1 defeat in the final). Since the 2015 final, BVB had won 15 of their 18 league matches against VfL, losing just one.
Personnel matters:
A total of eight players were unavailable: Adeyemi (thigh), Anton (hip), Duranville (thigh), Reyna (groin), Ryerson (adductor) and Süle (syndesmosis injury) and Yan Couto (gluteus) were not present. Sabitzer was only able to take part to a limited extent in the pre-game training programme due to a back complaint, and started on the bench – where he was the only experienced outfield player among a host of youngsters. Can, Gross and Beier came into the starting line-up to replace Anton, Ryerson and Sabitzer, all of whom came off injured in Augsburg on Saturday.
Tactics:
The reshuffled BVB XI found solidity in the tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation. Gross took up the outer position on the right side of the back four; a role he regularly assumed during his time in England. Can moved into the centre of defence alongside Schlotterbeck. He was the second constant in the back four, alongside Bensebaini on the left. Nmecha and Brandt formed the double six. Beier occupied the central position in the offensive three with Malen (right) and Gittens in the wide positions. When building up, Nmecha frequently dropped between the centre-backs, with the full-backs moving up into midfield. VfL lined up in a 4-4-2 formation in defence, and in the same 4-2-3-1 as Dortmund when in possession. They started the game very cautiously, waiting for the visitors to make a mistake and defending with a man-marking system.
The match & analysis:
BVB dominated the first half, with 63% possession, and also had the first promising attack, but Malen's shot from 14 metres out in the second minute was deflected out for a corner by the outstretched leg of a Wolfsburg defender. This attack was followed by a big chance on 14 minutes: Schlotterbeck's ball over the top took out the entire Wolfsburg defence. Beier was through on goal in a half-left position, but his shot struck the right-hand post. Shortly afterwards, a VfL player cleared the ball from the danger area at the last minute, with Gittens ready to pounce. This time Malen had found space on the right and was able to drive a cross sharply into the middle.
In the 24th minute, Vavro diverted Guirassy's header out of play with his arm in the penalty area. Referee Siebert didn't blow his whistle, and VAR is only used from the last 16 onwards. That said, Guirassy may have been in an offside position in any case. Dortmund were playing well overall, getting the ball forward quickly and defending attentively. It took VfL over half an hour to fashion their first chance, but Kobel had little problem dealing with Amouras's shot (32).
BVB remained the more enterprising side after the break in a game that turned somewhat scrappy. Nmecha was shown a yellow card for a high challenge on Wimmer, then VfL's Arnold was booked for bringing down Malen to halt a promising counter-attack. In the 65th minute, Grabara kept out Guirassy's header from Gittens' cross with a superb one-handed stop. BVB made their first change on 77 minutes, with Campbell replacing the lively but luckless Malen. That marked the start of a period in which VfL became more dominant. Kobel was required to make a save to deny Wind in the fourth of eight minutes of added time.
Extra time began with Tiago Tomas hitting the bar for Wolfsburg with a shot on 93 minutes. For the first time, VfL, who had long since substituted half their side for fresh legs, were ahead in terms of shots on target (12-11). Down the other end, Arnold, who had already been booked, should have seen a second yellow for a foul on Campbell, who was about to break through on goal (95). Koulierakis's hard challenge on Gittens also went unpunished (96). Then Sabitzer signalled: "I can play 20 minutes." He replaced the injured Gittens, with Beier taking up the latter's position. BVB grew stronger again. Nmecha had the chance to make it 1-0 from a corner, but he was blocked by Gerhardt on the right-hand side of the six-yard box (102). Seconds later, Campbell tried his luck from 16 metres out.
BVB were frustrated: in the 116th minute, Schlotterbeck was foiled by Maehle, who blocked the BVB defender's shot with his arm raised in the penalty area. Down the opposite end of the pitch, Gerhardt crossed from the left. Kaminski was unable to get a proper header on the ball. In the ensuing scramble, the ball ended up at the feet of Wind, who fired home into the bottom-left corner of the net.
Outlook:
After three straight away games, BVB will now play at home twice: on Saturday (18:30 CET) in the Bundesliga against Leipzig, and next Tuesday (21:00 CET) in the Champions League against Sturm Graz.
Teams & goals
DFB-Pokal, Second Round
VFL WOLFSBURG 1–0 a.e.t. (0-0) BORUSSIA DORTMUND
VfL Wolfsburg: Grabara – Fischer, Vavro, Koulierakis, Maehle – Dardai (80, Gerhardt), Arnold – Baku (80, Kaminski), Majer (90, Özcan), Wimmer (69, Tiago Tomas) – Amoura (80, Wind)
Bor. Dortmund: Kobel – Gross, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini – Brandt, Nmecha – Malen (77, Campbell), Beier (112, Paulina), Gittens (99, Sabitzer) – Guirassy
Substitutes : Müller, Zesiger, Behrens, Odogu – Meyer, Wätjen, Mané, Kabar, Azhil, Lürs
Goals: 1-0 Wind (117, Kaminski)
Corners: 4-6 (1-4 at half-time), chance ratio: 7-5 (2-3)
Referee: Siebert (Berlin), bookings: Arnold, Özcan – Nmecha, Gittens, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini
Attendance: 24,806, weather: dry, 13 degrees