VfL Wolfsburg

While VfL Wolfsburg (https://www.vfl-wolfsburg.de/en/teams/first-team) are still looking for their first win of 2024, this weekend’s opponents Bayer Leverkusen remain undefeated this season – in the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup and the UEFA Europa League. As such, it is clear to see who the favourites are ahead of the teams’ meeting on Sunday evening (kick-off 19:30 CET). There are, however, a number of reasons why the Green-and-Whites can be optimistic of finally returning to winning ways… 

Left-back Rogerio has wasted little time in demonstrating his qualities since joining VfL Wolfsburg in the summer. The Brazilian suffered a thigh muscle injury against Union Berlin in February but has returned to training in time for Sunday’s trip to Bayer Leverkusen. Ahead of the clash at the BayArena, Rogerio spoke to us about his recent injury, his favourite food and the game against the Bundesliga leaders.

VfL Wolfsburg are preparing to celebrate their seventh diversity matchday. For the women’s home game against RB Leipzig on Monday 11 March (kick-off: 19.30 CET) at the AOK Stadion and the men’s match on Saturday 16 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET) against FC Augsburg at the Volkswagen Arena, the She-Wolves and the Wolves will be wearing a diversity jersey as a symbol of VfL’s various social activities. The 2024 diversity matchdays will form part of the “International weeks against racism“.

VfL Wolfsburg failed to pick up points on Matchday 24, with head coach Niko Kovac’s men losing 3-2 at home to VfB Stuttgart on Saturday evening. Joakim Maehle (50’) and Lukas Nmecha (83’) were on the mark for the Green-and-Whites, but that was not enough to cancel out a double from Serhou Guirassy (14’/54’ pen.) and another from Josha Vagnoman (77’), in front of a capacity crowd of 28,917 fans at the Volkswagen Arena. 

He’s finally back: the Wolves now have another option in attack after Lukas Nmecha made his long-awaited return from injury in last Saturday’s draw with Borussia Dortmund. Ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Stuttgart, Nmecha discusses his comeback, VfL’s current situation and their upcoming opponents.

The German Football League (DFL) has confirmed the dates and kick-off times for Matchdays 27 to 30 in the Bundesliga. The Wolves’ final game of next month takes place at 15:30 CET on Saturday 30 March, when they visit Werder Bremen. The Matchday 29 meeting with Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Volkswagen Arena kicks off at 17:30 CEST on Sunday 7 April, before back-to-back Saturday afternoon fixtures at Leipzig (13 April) and at home to VfL Bochum (20 April).

It wasn’t to be yet again. Despite leading twice in Frankfurt, the Wolves couldn’t hold on for the three points as their winless run extended to eight games. The hosts’ second equaliser was scored in stoppage time by ex-Wolfsburg man Omar Marmoush, after Maxence Lacroix (2’) and January signing Kevin Behrens (36’) had put Niko Kovac’s men in front either side of Philipp Max’s goal (14’). VfL have now shared the points in six of their last seven matches.

Despite a good performance against Borussia Dortmund last week, VfL Wolfsburg are still without a Bundesliga win in 2024. The next chance for Niko Kovac’s side to change that arrives when they travel to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park on Sunday 25 February (kick-off 15:30 CET). The Wolves earned a 2-0 home win in the return fixture in September last year thanks to a Jonas Wind brace.

Injuries and illness have thwarted him at times this season, but Moritz Jenz hasn’t taken long to establish himself in the VfL Wolfsburg first team. The defender has appeared in 15 of a possible 22 Bundesliga games for the Wolves since his arrival, playing the full 90 minutes on 12 occasions. Speaking ahead of the trip to Frankfurt on Sunday 25 February (15:30 CET), Jenz talks about dealing with a broken nose, VfL’s current position and the upcoming clash with the Eagles.

VfL Wolfsburg ground out a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday afternoon. In a close-fought contest, the hosts started strongly but it was BVB who took the lead in only the eighth minute with their first opportunity through Niclas Füllkrug. The first half was again marked by several interruptions due to fan protests. After the break, the Wolves remained determined and got their reward in the 64th minute, when substitute Yannick Gerhardt headed in the equaliser.