Behrens earns friendly win

VfL Wolfsburg produced an impressive performance against UEFA Champions League hopefuls LOSC Lille en route to a 1-0 friendly victory. Substitute Kevin Behrens proved to be the match-winner after finishing one of few chances in the second half.

Head coach Ralph Hasenhüttl was forced to make one change shortly before his team’s third game of the summer, with Kofi Amoako coming into the defence for Sebastiaan Bornauw, who was ruled out due to a foot complaint.

The Wolves settled quickly at the Jahnstadion and almost took the lead inside the first minute following a wayward pass from Lille defender Ismaily, whose blushes were spared by the post. The Wolves were aggressive in their tackling and pressing, and following a brief dominant spell from Lille, VfL had the better of the game. Bennit Bröger (19’) and Mohamed Amoura (33’) both missed from nearly identical positions inside the penalty area, while a chance for Jakub Kaminski fell on his weaker foot, allowing Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier to make a save (33’) Moments later the French side escaped the Green-and-Whites’ press and powered forward. Mohamed Bayo darted into the penalty area and skilfully took it around Kamil Grabara, only to fumble his lines at the crucial moment.

VfL made three changes ahead of the second half, with one of the substitutes swiftly getting his name on the scoresheet in Rheda-Wiedenbrück: Kevin Behrens confidently converted a penalty into the bottom right-hand corner following a handball by David Odogu (54’). The match continued at a fast tempo, albeit without any clear-cut chances until the 83rd minute, when Tiago Tomas volleyed a Ridle Baku corner at goal, drawing a fine stop from Chevalier. As such, it stayed at 1-0 for Wolfsburg, who recorded their second victory with a clean sheet in their third friendly of the summer.

Ralph Hasenhüttl: “It was a very good test for us today. We were tough to play against, hardly gave them any chances, and were much improved in our one-on-ones. We’re still not setting the world alight when we’re in possession, but that’s ok because we’ve been focusing on our defensive work.”

VfL Wolfsburg: Grabara (46‘ Müller) – Lacroix, Amoako, Odogu – Baku, Arnold (61’ Dardai), Gerhardt, Kaminski (61’ Cozza) – Bröger (46‘ Akaegbobi) – Tomas, Amoura (46‘ Behrens)

Subs: Pervan (GK), Braun, Neininger, Ibrisimovic, Dittrich, Börset

OSC Lille: Chevalier – Ismaily (61‘ Gudmundsson), Alexsandro (61‘ Malouda), Diakite (75’ Burlet), Santos (75’ Toure) – Mukau (75’ Ferrah), Andre (61’ Bouaddi) – Haraldsson (57’ Gomes), Cabella (75‘ Virginius), Zhegrova (61’ Meunier) – Bayo (66’ Ilic)

Subs: Mannone (GK), Olmeta (GK)

Goals: 1-0 Behrens (54‘)

Yellow cards: – / Diakite, Andre, Virginius, Malouda

Referee: Yannick Rupert

Attendance: 350, Jahnstadion (Rheda-Wiedenbrück)