Schürrle shines on debut as Wolfsburg down Hoffenheim
Wolfsburg - Debutant Andre Schürrle played a part in two of VfL Wolfsburg’s three goals as Dieter Hecking’s side beat TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 3-0 to keep the pressure on league leaders FC Bayern München.
Schürrle quick out of the traps
Germany international Schürrle started on the left wing for Hecking’s charges in the absence of Ivan Perisic, who picked up a knock in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt. It didn’t take the 24-year-old long to make his mark as he sent in an inch-perfect cross for Bas Dost to prod home after just three minutes. The former Chelsea FC star was involved in the Wolves’ second goal too, cracking a thunderous shot against the crossbar which Kevin De Bruyne nodded into an empty net on the rebound.
Hoffenheim improved after the restart and were only denied a goal by some fine goalkeeping from Wolves’ custodian Diego Benaglio. First, the Swiss international did well to parry Roberto Firmino’s rasping effort out of harm’s way, before getting down low to palm away Anthony Modeste’s shot. However, it was the in-form De Bruyne who sealed the points for Wolfsburg six minutes from time, thumping the ball past Baumann from the edge of the area to make it 3-0 and extend the Wolves’ unbeaten run at the start of the Rückrunde.
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