With four points, new signing Joakim Maehle is VfL Wolfsburg’s second best scorer. The Dane knows how to convince – and is convinced: “We are on the right path.”
Is the Wolves’ second best scorer: Joakim Maehle. IMAGO/Jan Huebner
He was one of the winners of VfL Wolfsburg’s otherwise rather disappointing 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen, but Joakim Maehle was still not really satisfied. “We,” he says, “were all disappointed in the dressing room.” And his two goal involvements didn’t help him either. The Dane made it 1-1 straight away, and he played an equally big part in the 2-1 result with the penultimate pass. Nevertheless, it wasn’t enough to win again, which is frustrating for Maehle and his colleagues. The 26-year-old is even more concerned about positivity. “We are on the right track,” he emphasized several times in a media interview on Wednesday, “we are not worried.”
Kovac on Maehle: “He’s just set – no matter what position”
Much more than these words, however, the actions of the footballers on the pitch must ensure calm for the ambitious Lower Saxony, who, as ninth in the table, are in danger of sinking into mediocrity. The away game against Borussia Mönchengladbach is on Friday (8:30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker). Maehle is expected to play from the start and has only been missing from the star lineup in the cup against RB Leipzig (1-0). Coach Niko Kovac recently said about the full-back, who can play on the right or left: “With the experience he has gained as a national player and in Italy, he is simply ready. No matter what position.”
Mahele is happy about the Lahm comparison
Maehle doesn’t care about that either, although at VfL he has now settled on the right side, unlike before at Atalanta Bergamo or in the Danish selection, where he primarily played on the left. “It was a bit unusual at the beginning,” admits the summer newcomer, but he has now largely gotten used to the change of sides. The comparison with Philipp Lahm that coach Kovac recently made honors the Scandinavian: “It’s nice to be compared to a German legend.”
Understanding of coach rotation
The fact that VfL has not yet found a solid formation this season and that coach Kovac is trying a lot both in terms of personnel and systematically could be one reason why Wolfsburg is still having its problems. The many changes – players, positions, formations – can sometimes be confusing, says Maehle. “But I understand the coach,” said the professional, “we have a lot of players who have great quality and want to play. The coach wants to give as many minutes as possible.”
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Maehle is convinced that Kovac will steer everything in the right direction. “It’s getting better and better,” emphasizes the twelve million euro purchase, which is growing into a leadership role. “It’s just a matter of time that the points come and we play really good football.” Friday in Mönchengladbach would be a good opportunity to prove this.
2023-11-08 17:16:36
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