Wolfsburg and Frankfurt deliver thrilling 2-2 draw
The clash of Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt brought the Bundesliga’s Matchday 23 action to an end this Sunday afternoon.
Separated by just five points in the race for European positions in the table, Niko Kovac’s side knew they could close the gap with a win. Both outfits have seen a recent dip in form – a solitary win each in their last four competitive games.
After a goal-laden first half, the sides would share the spoils after an entertaining 2-2 draw.
After a brief delay to the action with difficulties regarding Kevin Trapp’s goal, Wolfsburg took a 1-0 lead inside 10 minutes. A wonderful ball from Yannick Gerhardt bisected the Frankfurt rear guard. Omar Marmoush did brilliantly to time his run, round Trapp, and finish to an empty net. While ‘Die Wolfe’ looked more likely to score a second it was Frankfurt who equalised in the 22nd minute. Scoreless in two games, Kolo Muani broke his miniature goal drought with a delightful header. Astonishingly, Frankfurt would swiftly make it 2-1 four minutes later – a half volley nestled in the top left corner of Casteels’ goal by the advanced Evan Ndicka.
Separated by just five points in the race for European positions in the table, Niko Kovac’s side knew they could close the gap with a win. Both outfits have seen a recent dip in form – a solitary win each in their last four competitive games.
After a goal-laden first half, the sides would share the spoils after an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Such frantic pace from both teams would naturally prove difficult to sustain. Nonetheless, Wolfsburg sprung to life again just after the 36th minute. Wimmer found Marmoush whose delightfully chipped effort was swept off the goal line by Tuta. Meanwhile Gerhardt stung the palms of Trapp with the subsequent attack. Gerhardt would make it 2-2 just before Schlager’s half-time whistle. Patrick Wimmer found the head of the German midfielder who nodded home at the near post.
It took some time for the second-half to burst into life. Kolo Muani threatened on occasion, while Daichi Kamada’s long range drive on 55minutes whistled past Casteels’ upright. Aside from the Japanese international going close, chances were few and far between for both sides with just over quarter of the affair remaining.
Lindstrom had the ball in the Wolfsburg net on 72 minutes, but the offside flag was raised. By this stage the game was extremely fragmented. Substitutes rained in for both sides – the Nmecha brothers entered for Wolfsburg, while Knauff and Borre hoped to make the difference for ‘Die Adler’. There was almost a moment of calamity at the death for Wolfsburg. Lukas Nmecha dislodged the ball from Casteels’ grasp but were fortunate Ndicka could only strike the post. In the end, a fair result between two well matched opponents.