Köstner has the Wolves roaring again
Düsseldorf - Lorenz-Günther Köstner celebrated his return to the VfL Wolfsburg dugout in style as the Wolves roared back to life with a 4-1 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Köstner's return
Bas Dost grabbed a brace while both Ivica Olic and Diego scored as a rejuvenated Wolfsburg steam-rollered their hosts. The hosts's consolation came from Jens Langeneke's penalty, although they also lost Oliver Fink to a red card.
All eyes were on Lorenz-Günther Köstner as he took his place on the Wolfsburg bench for the second time in his career, just 48 hours after Felix Magath’s dismissal. Köstner, who saved the Wolves from the threat of relegation in his previous four-month stint in 2010, has a similar remit this time, albeit with a longer time frame.
His side needed time to get warmed up in Düsseldorf, but they ended the first half having created some presentable chances. Fabian Giefer was called into action to save Adam Bodzek’s blushes as he almost put through his own net, before excelling again seconds later to tip Dost’s header onto the top of the crossbar.
Easy Prey
Fortuna’s resistance was broken five minutes into the second half when the ball was threaded into the path of Olic, who burst down the left and sent in a low cross for Dost to convert. And there was barely time for Fortuna to catch their breath before Olic made it two in the 53rd minute. Diego was given too much freedom on the edge of the area, and his diagonal pass picked out Olic in space at the far post, who arrowed a low strike between Giefer and his left-hand upright.
By this time, the Wolves were well on top and soon threatened to run riot at the ESPRIT Arena, as Makoto Hasebe's cross allowed Dost to convert from close range to complete his first brace in the Bundesliga. The concession of a spot-kick briefly halted their progress, Langeneke converting after Olic had tripped Fink, but the vibrant guests were not to be denied. Their three-goal lead was restored soon after, when Fink was dismissed for a foul on Diego inside his side’s penalty area, the Brazilian stepping up himslef to slot in a fourth for the Wolves.
It was a deserved triumph for Wolfsburg and their first since the opening day of the season, and one that lifts them to 16th in the table.
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