Wolfsburg extend unbeaten home run with Schalke win
Wolfsburg - VfL Wolfsburg extended their unbeaten home run to 24 Bundesliga matches thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over FC Schalke 04.
Man of the match
The Wolves assumed control of proceedings early on, with Bas Dost volleying into the roof of the net in the 17th minute after a lovely bit of combination play involving effervescent Portuguese winger Vieirinha and former VfB Stuttgart captain Christian Träsch. Schalke created chances as the half wore on, but neither Leroy Sane nor Klaas-Jan Huntelaar were able to make the best of them count.
Schalke started the second half brightly as Johannes Geis rifled a fierce effort wide of the post from 18 yards, but Wolfsburg swiftly wrestled back the initiative. Ricardo Rodriguez doubled the home side’s lead from the penalty spot after Sead Kolasinac had brought down Luiz Gustavo in the box, before teeing up Timm Klose to wrap up the points with a well-worked third.
In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, Vieirinha excelled in the role of Wolfsburg’s creator-in-chief. The Portuguese international, who spent much of 2014/15 playing at right-back, was a constant threat in his more familiar position on the right-hand side of midfield and had a big say in the opening goal.
Talking point
Wolfsburg are once again going to take some stopping at the Volkswagen Arena in 2015/16. The Wolves haven’t lost on home soil in the Bundesliga since losing 6-1 to FC Bayern München on 8 March 2014, and have already won two from two in front of their own fans this term.
Stats of the match
- Bas Dost has now scored 16 Bundesliga goals in 2015: more than any other player.
- 11 of the Dutchman’s 30 Bundesliga goals have come from crosses.
- Rodriguez has converted six of his seven penalties in the Bundesliga.
- Two wins and a draw represents Wolfsburg’s best ever start to a Bundesliga campaign.
