Chadrac Akolo was Stuttgart's match-winner against Wolfsburg on Matchday 4. - © © gettyimages / Alex Grimm
Chadrac Akolo was Stuttgart's match-winner against Wolfsburg on Matchday 4. - © © gettyimages / Alex Grimm

Chadrac Akolo gives Stuttgart victory over Wolfsburg

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Stuttgart claimed a second victory of the season by beating Wolfsburg 1-0 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Saturday.

Stuttgart 1-0 Wolfsburg

Goals: 1-0 Akolo (42')

In torrential rain in southwest Germany, chances came at a premium in the first half, although Stuttgart’s Anastasios Donis was by far the game’s most eye-catching performer. After 13 minutes, he bent a curling shot against the base of the post, but he had more luck shortly before the interval when his cross was calmly converted by Chadrac Akolo at the second time of asking.

Wolfsburg improved in the second half and monopolised possession for long spells, but Stuttgart remained the more likely to add to the scores. Akolo spurned two good chances to do so, forcing one good save from Koen Casteels and spooning the other over after great work by substitute Takuma Asano. Akolo was withdrawn with an injury shortly afterwards and the hosts’ attacking threat receded, but they defended stoutly to claim a deserved win, despite being down to ten men late on after skipper Christian Gentner was withdrawn with injury.

Man of the match

He tends to fly under the radar but Santiago Ascacibar’s performance was worthy of special mention. The 20-year-old Argentine covered every blade of grass in protecting the Stuttgart defence, and their clean sheet owed much to his application. A summer arrival from Estudiantes, he looks an excellent signing already.

Line-ups

Stuttgart: Zieler - Pavard, Baumgartl, Kaminski - Beck, Ascacibar, Gentner (c), Aogo - Donis (Brekalo 67'), Akolo (Mangala 77') - Terodde (Asano 71')
Coach: Hannes Wolf

Wolfsburg: Casteels - William (Verhaegh 46'), Knoche, Camacho (c), Uduokhai, Gerhardt - Guilavogui, Gerhardt - Didavi (Malli 79') - Origi, Dimata (Ntep 67')
Coach: Andries Jonker

Match Stats

    After scoring his first Bundesliga goal on Matchday 3, Akolo now has two in two matches.At Schalke, Akolo scored in the 40th minute; here he netted in the 42nd.Daniel Didavi is yet to finish a Bundesliga game this season, having been substituted off in all four league matches.

Click here to visit the Stuttgart vs. Wolfsburg Match Centre!