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Goalscorer and preparer: Wolfsburg's Maximilian Arnold
Photo:
Boris Streubel / Getty Images
VfL Wolfsburg won their home game against newly promoted Arminia Bielefeld 2-1 (2-0).
After four draws at the start of the season in the Bundesliga, it was the Wolfsburg's first win of the season.
The goals for VfL were scored by Wout Weghorst (19th minute) and Maximilian Arnold (20th), who initiated the opening goal with a clever free-kick variant.
Sven Schipplock scored for Bielefeld (80th).
From the beginning, the Wolfsburg Pressing put a lot of pressure on the Bielefeld team, the guests hardly ever came to their own attacks or extended ball possession passages in the opposing half.
Renato Steffen missed a first Wolfsburg chance: The Swiss received a pass into the depths from Admir Mehmedi, but was unable to get the ball on goal or to a teammate (11th).
The 1-0 came after a free kick: Arnold had made available just 25 meters in front of the goal.
The Bielefeld wall was supposed to make a direct end to the short post more difficult;
to defend a cross on the far post, the Arminia had parked four other players.
Arnold, however, decided on a flat pass through the middle: Two Wolfsburgs blocked Bielefeld near the ball, Weghorst ran free and was able to take the lead from ten meters away from the goal (19th).
Ortega fails at first, then prevents worse
Just one minute later, the Wolfsburg punished Bielefeld's attempt to build the game flat: When goalkeeper Stefan Ortega passed Arne Maier, Arnold intervened at the edge of the penalty area.
Weghorst helped to secure the ball, Mehmedi stuck through, Arnold finished flat with his left to make it 2-0 (20th).
Bielefeld then tried more forward, but did not get a shot on Koen Casteels' goal.
Wolfsburg had to replace captain Joshua Guilavogui early due to an injury (31st), but still had the best chances: In the 57th minute alone, Ortega first had to hit a header from Weghorst from close range, then in a one-on-one Situation with Renato Steffen prevent the 0: 3.
Maxence Lacroix failed after a corner kick with a left-footed shot at the post (75.).
The substitute Schipplock only hit the connection from 15 meters (80th), a deflected long-range shot by Manuel Prietl jumped off the outside post (83rd).
While Arminia remains in the lower third of the table after three defeats in a row, Wolfsburg are in midfield after five matchdays.
Alongside Bayer Leverkusen and league leaders RB Leipzig, VfL is the last team in the league that has not suffered a defeat this season.
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