VfL Wolfsburg have qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League thanks to a bit of luck and a top performance from goalkeeper Diego Benaglio. Dieter Hecking’s side are still on track for the final in Warsaw after winning the first leg 2-0 and drawing tonight’s second leg 0-0. Back in 2010, VfL qualified for the quarter-finals as reigning champions of Germany.
“We know we could have played better. But not many teams come away from here with a clean sheet,” said Sporting Director Klaus Allofs. “You can’t win every game and it’s good for us that we’ve been able to qualify.”
Wolfsburg went into the game on the back of a twelve game unbeaten run and therefore with confidence in front of the 23,097 spectators in attendance. The hosts began the game looking to score an early goal but VfL controlled the game as much as possible. There weren’t many chances for either side in the first quarter of an hour.
Hecking made two changes to the side that started the first leg. Brazil international Luiz Gustavo returned to the side after serving his suspension and played alongside Josuha Guliavogui in holding midfield. The injured Aaron Hunt and Sebastian Jung both didn’t start, whilst Christian Träsch started at right back.
Benaglio on fine form
The first dangerous chance on Diego Benaglio’s goal came just before half time. The Switzerland international was forced into two spectacular saves, before Träsch cleared Figueiredo’s header off the line from a corner.
The visitors didn’t go behind, but only thanks to a save from Benaglio, who tipped Junya Tanaka’s shot onto the post (45+1). The sides went into the break with the score goalless, which flattered Wolfsburg.
VfL tried to regain control of the game after half time. But going forward, the Wolves weren’t as dangerous as they have been over the last few games. Kevin de Bruyne and World Champion André Schürrle, who have both been in great form recently, were nowhere to be seen. They were also unable to use their set-pieces to their advantage.
Kevin de Bruyne hits the post
VfL had their first dangerous scoring chance ten minutes into the second half, but de Bruyne’s shot came back off the post after a lovely solo run (54’). At the other end, Benaglio had to be alert once more to keep out Sporting star Nani. The hosts were unable to take advantage of a mistake from Ricardo Rodriguez. The Swiss left back lost the ball in his own half, but Carilla fired the resulting shot from the counter attack wide (65’).
