Germany: Bundesliga
FT
2 - 2
(1 - 2)
Wolfsburg
Bremen
L. Nmecha (11), J. Guilavogui (84)
N. Füllkrug (21), L. Bittencourt (23)
By Peter Weis@PeterVicey

Guilavogui speaks on first VfL goal in two years: "There are shadows and light in life."

Former VfL Wolfsburg captain Josuha Guilavogui's first goal in the neon green since an opening round Pokal fixture in September 2020 could not have had come at a better time. 

The 31-year-old admitted he had been having a tough time as for late when speaking to the Sky mics afterward. 
As Niko Kovac's VfL Wolfsburg debut threatened to end in a rather humiliating defeat to the newly promoted SV Werder Bremen, the rescue came in the 84th minute from a most unexpected source. The subbed on Josuha Guilavogui calmly finished off a Lukas-Nmecha-extended corner kick from the right sider of the penalty area to once again level the score at 2-2.

Stripped of his captaincy last summer by then VfL trainer Mark van Bommel, Guilavogui's future with the Bundesliga club eight seasons with seemed all but finished when the German Wolves loaned him out to FC Girondins de Bordeaux last spring. At the time, it was not foreseen that the Frenchman would return to Germany.

After a permanent transfer fell though, however, the skipper found himself back in VfL camp this summer. Considered dead weight on Kovac's already bloated roster, a move seemed almost certain. Guilavogui may yet part company with Germany's green company team before August is out.

Knowing that his first goal for Wolfsburg may also be his last, Guilavogui savored the moment by candidly offered some thoughts on this time in his career.

"It was hard for me in Bordeaux and I was a little depressed." he conceded, "Today I'm back on the pitch laughing. That's important not only in football, but also in life. We have to keep fighting. We have to remain positive. While there are many shadows [in life], there's also a lot of light."

The long-time German football fan favorite didn't let his smile dissipate throughout the entire interview.

Match days

German Teams in Europe

DFB-Pokal

German National Team

Long reads

Exclusive interviews

Team News

UEFA Nations League - Bosnia - Germany