Wolfsburg have jumped to the top of the Bundesliga, even without their star player Kevin De Bruyne. Last year’s runners-up beat Schalke 3-0 on Friday evening, with goals from Bas Dost, Ricardo Rodriguez and Timm Klose ensuring a comfortable victory.
Europa League participants Schalke suffered their first league defeat under new boss Andre Breitenreiter, and thus dropped down to seventh in the table. The Royal Blues, led in attack by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, were toothless up front and also struggled in defence.
Wolfsburg on top from the off
Whilst the visitors made a sluggish start, the hosts took the initiative right from the off and were most dangerous down the wings. A great ball in from the right from Christian Träsch was converted by Bas Dost to give the striker his second goal of the season and Wolfsburg a deserved early lead.
Kevin De Bruyne, as well as want-away Croatian Ivan Perisic, was not included in Wolfsburg’s squad for the game and formed part of the 30,000-strong crowd at the Volkswagen Arena. Max Kruse played just behind the striker for Wolfsburg, replacing De Bruyne who is expected to join English side Manchester City in the coming days. Daniel Caligiuri also proved to be an excellent stand-in on the left wing for Ivan Perisic, who is likely to leave for Inter Milan.
Dost, Rodriguez and Klose secure the points
Schalke came out fighting in the second half and looked to be close to an equaliser – a long-range effort from Johannes Geis sailed just wide and offered as a warning signal to the hosts. Naldo was also forced to make a strong challenge on Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to deny the winger a good opportunity.
However, Wolfsburg rode the wave of pressure and killed the game off at the exact right moment. After a clumsy and unnecessary foul in the box from Sead Kolasinac on Luiz Gustavo, referee Felix Brych pointed to the spot and Ricardo Rodriguez stepped up to coolly slot away the penalty. Two minutes later, Wolfsburg were three up as defender Timm Klose volleyed home at the near post from a corner.
Schalke had no answer to the two quick goals, and the game was decided. Germany international Julian Draxler left the field after 73 minutes.
Wolfsburg have jumped to the top of the Bundesliga, even without their star player Kevin De Bruyne. Last year’s runners-up beat Schalke 3-0 on Friday evening, with goals from Bas Dost, Ricardo Rodriguez and Timm Klose ensuring a comfortable victory.
Europa League participants Schalke suffered their first league defeat under new boss Andre Breitenreiter, and thus dropped down to seventh in the table. The Royal Blues, led in attack by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, were toothless up front and also struggled in defence.
Wolfsburg on top from the off
Whilst the visitors made a sluggish start, the hosts took the initiative right from the off and were most dangerous down the wings. A great ball in from the right from Christian Träsch was converted by Bas Dost to give the striker his second goal of the season and Wolfsburg a deserved early lead.
Kevin De Bruyne, as well as want-away Croatian Ivan Perisic, was not included in Wolfsburg’s squad for the game and formed part of the 30,000-strong crowd at the Volkswagen Arena. Max Kruse played just behind the striker for Wolfsburg, replacing De Bruyne who is expected to join English side Manchester City in the coming days. Daniel Caligiuri also proved to be an excellent stand-in on the left wing for Ivan Perisic, who is likely to leave for Inter Milan.
Dost, Rodriguez and Klose secure the points
Schalke came out fighting in the second half and looked to be close to an equaliser – a long-range effort from Johannes Geis sailed just wide and offered as a warning signal to the hosts. Naldo was also forced to make a strong challenge on Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to deny the winger a good opportunity.
However, Wolfsburg rode the wave of pressure and killed the game off at the exact right moment. After a clumsy and unnecessary foul in the box from Sead Kolasinac on Luiz Gustavo, referee Felix Brych pointed to the spot and Ricardo Rodriguez stepped up to coolly slot away the penalty. Two minutes later, Wolfsburg were three up as defender Timm Klose volleyed home at the near post from a corner.
Schalke had no answer to the two quick goals, and the game was decided. Germany international Julian Draxler left the field after 73 minutes.
