Antonio Rüdiger in action during the game.

Wolfsburg prove effective

It wasn’t the desired start for VfB in their first competitive game of 2013 as they slipped to a 0-2 (0-0) defeat away to VfL Wolfsburg. Bruno Labbadia’s men did manage to create a number of openings but were unable to find the target. The side from Lower Saxony were ultimately more effective.

Right from the outset, VfL Wolfsburg made it clear that they were eager to get their new coach Dieter Hecking off to a successful start as they pushed VfB early on. Bruno Labbadia’s men held their own though, often putting VfL under pressure with pacy counter attacks. With just twelve minutes played, VfB had the first real sight of goal in the game. Ibrahima Traoré swerved his way through a number of VfL opponents – with admittedly as much fortune as skill – and managed to get a shot away with his weaker right foot. Unfortunately the effort proved off target.

Wolfsburg raise the pressure

As the half progressed, VfL Wolfsburg became ever stronger but before the break, it was Christian Gentner who twice found himself in the middle of the action. Firstly, the midfielder fired wide of the left upright (42’) and then, just a minute later, Diego Benaglio was forced to go full stretch to stop a curled effort from the VfB deputy captain (43’). The save from the ‘Wolves’ keeper was the final incident in the first period.