Double goal scorer Jonas Wind threw kisses into the audience, his VfL Wolfsburg again has a good chance of a place in the European Cup. With an unexpectedly easy 3-0 (3-0) home win, Lower Saxony ended the successful run of FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday and passed Rheinhessen in seventh place in the Bundesliga.
Wind (5th) and Sebastiaan Bornauw (13th) laid the foundation for smooth success with their early goals. The Dane Wind (28th) made almost everything clear with his sixth goal of the season before the break. “I’m happy to have scored again. It’s a nice day,” said the match winner. “Hopefully we can continue like this and make it to Europe,” added Wind.
Eight days after beating FC Bayern Munich, 05 coach Bo Svensson’s team suffered a defeat for the first time in ten games and a setback in the fight for European qualification. “Today was a black day,” said 05 sporting director Martin Schmidt and called for “a new start in a new series”.
Svensson trusted his Bayern conquerors in Wolfsburg and sent the same formation into the game. But there was nothing to be seen of the top performance in the 3-1 win against the German record champions. Only in the first few minutes did the guests indicate why they were playing a strong second half of the season so far.
But VfL quickly determined the events after six home games without a win. In front of 23,817 spectators, coach Niko Kovac’s team took the lead through the wind with the first successful combination. The goal increased the uncertainty of the Mainz team. They tried to play forward and also had a chance through Jae-Sung Lee (11th). The defensive of the guests wobbled.
Felix Nmecha and Ridle Baku caused a stir again and again, especially on the right side of VfL. Mattias Svanberg repeatedly played clever passes from midfield to the top. The almost logical consequence were the hits from Bornauw and the Dane Wind. Patrick Wimmer (35th) could have increased with a little more consistency. Only at the end of the first half did the visitors come up with more opportunities. Silvan Widmer awarded the best.
Mainz coach Svensson reacted during the break. He brought in Anton Stach for Leandro Barreiro and Aaron Martin for Edimilson Fernandes. The guests initially gained an advantage, but they didn’t have clear chances. The Wolfsburg cover was still secure, even if Maxence Lacroix stayed in the dressing room at the break. Nicolas Cozza took his place in the back three.
Mainz had bad luck when Captain Widmer (61st) landed unluckily after an aerial duel with Wolfsburg’s Guilavogui and apparently injured his foot. The Swiss had to be carried off and was replaced by Danny da Costa (65′). Shortly before, Marcus Ingvartsen and Aymen Bartok had come on for 05 for Ludovic Ajorque and Lee (61′).
Widmer’s exit had an effect on Mainz. They couldn’t find any line at all. Wolfsburg switched to management mode – and still had the best opportunity in the second half. Wimmer (72nd) failed carelessly free-standing at Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner.
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