The Ups and Downs of Patrick Wimmer: From Injury Comeback to Uncertain Playing Time

He is the top scorer of the previous season, after his syndesmosis tear in October, Patrick Wimmer worked his way back, celebrated his comeback – and ended up back in the stands at VfL Wolfsburg.

The way back: Patrick Wimmer (second from left) recently celebrated his comeback in Frankfurt. IMAGO/Kessler sports photography

When VfL Wolfsburg’s lineup and matchday squad became public last Saturday at 5:30 p.m., many people rubbed their eyes in surprise. A week after his comeback in the 2-2 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt, Patrick Wimmer was missing from the VfL squad against VfB Stuttgart (2-3). The first fears were circulating that the Austrian international, who suffered a torn syndesmosis last October, had suffered a setback. But that’s not the case: coach Niko Kovac did not nominate the 22-year-old. Which is quite surprising.

Certainly also the player himself, who, after the home defeat, marched through the mixed zone towards the VIP area in civilian clothes together with Dzenan Pejcinovic, who was also repeatedly not part of the 20-man squad. He had been looking forward to his comeback in the Bundesliga for months, on matchday 22 against Dortmund (1-1) he was on the bench again for the first time (for 90 minutes), and a week later in Frankfurt he celebrated his long-awaited and hard-earned return the lawn.

In the previous season, Wimmer was Wolfsburg’s top scorer

He came on as the first substitute in the 72nd minute for Lovro Majer and then recorded 15 ball contacts. The first step on the way to a season with a happy ending for Wimmer, who was Wolfsburg’s top scorer in the previous season (four goals, eighth assists).

It’s not that simple after all. In any case, a step back against Stuttgart followed. Which is surprising given that coach Kovac himself had hoped so much for his winger to return. Finally, he said that Wimmer’s (and Lukas Nmecha’s) failure was one of the reasons why things weren’t going well this season.

Wimmer aspires to “be a difference player”

And the player himself was eager to be able to help his team again. “I have the ambition to be a difference player,” he emphasized in the kicker interview in December. “I hope I can help the team again and inspire the team with my style.” A species that is special. Losing streak? Wimmer isn’t interested. Still without a scorer point this season? What the hell! “Perhaps,” he hoped recently, “a player was missing recently who doesn’t give a shit about anything.”

Now the first thing for Wimmer is to find the connection. He fought his way back to the training pitch (“It was an instructive time”) and is now fighting for a permanent return to the Bundesliga pitch. “It’s always close decisions,” Kovac emphasized before the Stuttgart game when looking at the numerous wingers in the squad, “we can recommend it during the week.” That’s what Wimmer has to do now. There is a lot at stake for him, as he wants to represent Austria at the European Championships in the summer. He’s finally fit – but still waiting again.

2024-03-05 17:50:15
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