VfL Bochum has further exacerbated VfL Wolfsburg’s away crisis. For the sixth time in a row, the Wolves returned home empty-handed (1:3). Yannick Gerhardt then called for a greater willingness to fight – especially against the supposedly smaller opponents.
Visibly frustrated: Yannick Gerhardt and VfL Wolfsburg once again fell short of their own expectations away from home. picture alliance/dpa
The Wolves’ performances in front of their home crowd have been impressive so far this Bundesliga season (four wins, one draw, one defeat). Away from home, Niko Kovac’s team has been in trouble for weeks. The 2-1 win in Cologne on matchday 2 was followed by six defeats away from home in a row.
Even in Bochum (1:3), the Wolfsburg team failed to put their performance on the pitch and were unable to match the high intensity of the hosts, especially in the first half. Leading player Yannick Gerhardt, who had lost his regular place in the past few weeks, took the team to task in an interview with “Sky”.
“Against Leipzig, we know that we are the clear underdogs. We all defend together and are not above kicking the ball out,” said the 29-year-old, looking back on last week’s 2-1 home win. “Against Bochum, we think we are the better team in terms of football. But in football, and especially in this setting, it’s the duels that count and we showed off our grit, especially in the first half.”
No matter whether you are in a good mood or not, you can always defend together.
When it comes to the wolves, you have to understand that at the moment it’s all about commitment. “We’re not yet at the point where we can show this quality of football over 90 minutes at the moment, so we have to get into duels right from the start,” demanded the center player. “No matter whether you’re in a good mood or not, you can always defend together.”
The Wolfsburg team are having particular difficulties in defense when away from home and have already conceded 18 goals in seven games. According to Gerhardt, the problems cannot be pinpointed on one part of the team: “At the moment it’s too rare to go beyond 90 minutes. We always have phases that are good, but in the Bundesliga the phases aren’t enough. We need 90 minutes of consistent football – like that against Leipzig.”
Gerhardt: “It’s a disaster away from home”
Gerhardt was also annoyed by the VfL supporters who had supported the team from afar over the course of the season so far. “It’s been a disaster away from home so far this year. I’m sorry for the fans who traveled with us. They come along every time and cheer us on and we let our courage get the best of us every time, no matter where we play. We have to work on it as quickly as possible .”
Because the tasks don’t get any easier for the wolves. The cup against Borussia Mönchengladbach continues on Tuesday (8:45 p.m., LIVE! on kicker), followed by the home game against SC Freiburg on Saturday (3:30 p.m.). “Darmstadt is waiting in two weeks, it’s going to be a fight game like that. We have to wake up slowly,” demanded Gerhardt and stated: “We absolutely need points.”
2023-12-02 19:45:47
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