Kovac lauds team for "deserved win", tempers expectations ahead of Bayern
One week after lamenting his lack of luck, VfL Wolfsburg trainer Niko Kovac breathed a sigh of relief whilst speaking to the sky microphones after his shorthanded side overcame SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday.
Things seemed to be proceeding as normal on Saturday afternoon after VfL Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix was sent off the pitch on a straight red card in the 27th minute against Darmstadt at the Böllenfalltor. Wolfsburg trainer Niko Kovac - on record as saying that his side simply can't locate any luck this season - admitted that the scene left him dispirited during his post-match interview with Sky Germany.
"It's strange what's happening to us this season," Kovac told his interviewer, "After the early red card, I wondered what we've done to deserve such difficulties every time. The team responded with fighting spirit over the course of 90 minutes and that's what we needed today."
"We have to work hard for our points," Kovac continued, "and I think - if you take the entire game into account - we deserved them today. It shows that the whole team is alive. We've often lacked luck, but today we've been rewarded for our efforts."
The improbable result probably saved Kovac from almost certain sacking if the Wolves had lost again. As he prepares to square off against former club Bayern on the final match-day of the current calendar year, Kovac made clear he wasn't expecting any miracles from his team.
"Bayern Munich is a just bonus game," Kovac said, "Nobody really expects anything. They're the super Bavarians. We want to make sure we get through the last game well, maybe take something away with us and then we have to regroup ahead of the second half of the season."