Sports series continue
Whistles in Wolfsburg – VfL and Hoffenheim remain winless
Status: 04.02.2024 | Reading time: 4 minutes
Niko Kovac missed the liberation he was hoping for. The coach, who came under criticism, only managed a draw against Hoffenheim with VfL Wolfsburg. In the end, TSG wasn’t satisfied either after taking the lead twice.
In the midst of discussions about their coaches, VfL Wolfsburg and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are still eagerly awaiting an end to their winless streak in the Bundesliga. The two midfield teams couldn’t get past a 2-2 (0-1) draw in Wolfsburg on Sunday. The Lower Saxony team, who got their fourth draw in a row, have now been waiting for three points for five games, the Kraichgauer team for six. Substitute Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer (59th minute/70th) equalized Hoffenheim’s opening goals by Maximilian Beier (6th) and Grischa Prömel (66th).
“We came to take three points. That’s why it’s annoying. Although in the end the draw is probably fair,” said Prömel: “A good half is not enough, we have to be more consistent. I hope that we can get the next three points against Cologne.”
The VfL coach Niko Kovac, who has come under criticism, is also unlikely to have self-promoted the sporting leadership due to his team’s weak performance over long stretches. The VfL fans among the 22,917 spectators often expressed their displeasure with their team’s sporting activities by whistling.
also read
Both teams have been languishing in everyday Bundesliga life in the past few weeks. Before the appearance in the VW city, Hoffenheim had only managed one win from the last ten games. Coach Kovac is still under a lot of pressure. For VfL, who started the season with European Cup ambitions, the current situation does not match their high goals.
Not living up to their own standards: Niko Kovac and VfL had big goals
Quelle: Getty Images/Cathrin Mueller
“It was like the last few weeks. The boys give everything and don’t reward themselves. The fact that we caught up twice shows our morale. The boys gave everything, compliments to the team,” said Kovac, who didn’t want to overestimate the audience’s whistles: “I think that was more due to the score. I liked the way we performed in the second half.” He did not want to comment further on his own future.
also read
Advertorial property valuation
Managing director Marcel Schäfer took care of that after the game. The 39-year-old confirmed that Kovac is staying at VfL for the time being: “Niko remains the coach and will be on the training pitch tomorrow,” said Schäfer. The plan is to end the season with the coach.
Next interruption due to fan protests
It was the same at the start of the game. Amid the home fans’ deafening whistle protest against the Bundesliga’s investor deal, Beier provided a loud signal for the guests to leave. The fine technician dribbled around the unfortunate-looking Sebastiaan Bornauw and then shot low into the net.
A setback for Kovac, who had received reinforcements in the winter with attacker Kevin Behrens. “With Kevin it’s the case that he’s in the feed,” praised Kovac on DAZN. The entry from league rivals 1. FC Union Berlin, who played from the start, remained pale for long stretches.
On the other hand, coach Pellegrino Matarazzo expected ex-Wolfsburg player Wout Weghorst to provide the right bite in the attack and also put returnee Ozan Kabak in the starting line-up. Hoffenheim seemed more stable than VfL in the first half. Even if Wolfsburg repeatedly caused danger. Wind (20th) failed at the post and at the well-disposed Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann (30th). “I think we have to get the game on our side in the first half. The 1-0 was a great goal, but then we also had a chance to make it 2-0,” said Weghorst, “but we haven’t found the key to winning yet.”
also read
After about 30 minutes, referee Florian Badstübner stopped the game because VfL fans had thrown small objects onto the field. Shortly afterwards things continued. In terms of sport, things remained manageable.
Majer brought new life into the game when he curled a low shot into the goal. Captain Maximilian Arnold’s mistake after goalkeeper Koen Casteels’ pass helped Prömel take the visitors’ lead again. Majer then scored the final point with a converted penalty.