André Schürrle almost single-handedly led VfL Wolfsburg to a 4-0 victory in Hanover on matchday 24 of the Bundesliga. The World Cup winner stepped up to the challenge of the Niesersachsen derby and put in one of his finest ever performances in a Wolfsburg jersey - recording his first Bundesliga hat-trick. The last time Schürrle scored thrice in one game was astonishingly exactly two years ago to the day in a 3-1 win for Chelsea over West London rivals Fulham. Schürrle’s fellow Germany internationals Julian Draxler and Max Kruse also presented themselves fantastically well: Draxler added to his assist with the fourth and final goal while Max Kruse provided two assists himself.
In the other Tuesday night game, FC Ingolstadt and 1. FC Köln drew 1-1. Lukas Hinterseer and Anthony Modeste were the scorers in the mid-table clash. Both sides remain at 10th and 9th in the table.
Wolfsburg’s Germany international trio shine in Hannover
In front of a sold-out HDI Arena in Hanover, both teams went into the game full of heart and determination. Hannover 96 relied on fight to get them into the game, Wolfsburg resisted with good football and created numerous chances for themselves. In only the fourth minute, Schürrle showed his quality with a cutting pass for Draxler, whose shot was put behind for a corner.
In the 15th minute, Hannover had their first and only chance of the half: Kenan Karaman’s effort from the edge of the area tested Wolfsburg’s keeper Koen Casteels. Wolfsburg took a little breather, regained their energy and then upped the tempo again. Draxler and Luis Gustavo were both denied the opening goal in the space of two minutes by Ron-Robert Zieler. Hannover began to struggle more and more in keeping Wolfsburg out, and eventually conceded the opener with 36 minutes on the clock. Draxler played a dream pass for Schürrle who took it past Sakai and found the corner via the inside of the post.
Schürrle completes the cake, Draxler provides the icing
In the second half, Wolfsburg let the hosts attack them, and looked to hit Hannover on the break. Schürrle had his shot blocked by sprawling defender Christian Schulz, but seconds later the ball did end up in the net again. From the resulting corner, Dante got his head to the ball. Then via Luiz Gustavo, the ball fell to Schürrle who pushed the ball home to make it 2-0.
Three minutes later, Schürrle completed his hat-trick. On the end of a quick counterattack, the World Cup winner converted Kruse’s cross to make it 3-0 and thereby kill the game. In the 70th minute, it was Kruse who came up with the assist again. This time, it was a through ball for Draxler which the 22-year-old put away brilliantly, leaving the keeper no chance. Final score: 4-0.
Köln dominate the opening and closing stages
The 14,000 spectators in the Audi-Sportpark witnessed an interesting encounter between Ingolstadt and Köln, in which the visitors had the far better start. In the opening quarter of an hour, Bitencourt missed two chances to put his team ahead and Modeste missed a chance of his own as well. The hosts, Ingolstadt, began by trying their luck from distance. Pascal Groß, however, met his match in Timo Horn. Amidst numerous promising Köln counterattacks, it was Ingolstadt who took the lead after Hinterseer turned in the ball from an impressive Danny da Costa cross and made it 1-0.
After the restart, Ingolstadt dictated proceedings and looked destined to carry their fourth consecutive home victory over the line. Almost out of nowhere, Köln scored the equaliser through Anthony Modeste. Then in the closing stages it was once again Köln who dominated - looking increasingly likely to score the winner. But it was not to be, and the game finished 1-1.
