B. Cortus
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Full-time
87'
WOLFSBURG FINDING THEIR SCORING TOUCH
The Wolves have found the net four, one, three and now four times again in their last four games - all in the month of February. It's definitely been a goal-friendly month for Oliver Glasner's side who have so often struggled to find the net this season.
82'
BUNDESLIGA DBEUT FOR KARAMOKO
The 20-year-old is on for his Bundesliga debut in these final 10 minutes. He joined the club last summer from Strasbourg.
82'
Substitution
80'
CHANCE NOW FOR ONISIWO
The substitute shows some real desire to grab a goal as he races past Mbabu into the box. He reaches the near post in front of Casteels and his effort is saved by the Belgian.
75'
MATETA HITS THE POST
Almost a consolation goal for Mainz and the substitute as Mateta sends a brilliant header at goal from Baku's cross. It just bounces out off the wrong side of the post, much to his frustration.
74'
Substitution
73'
RESTING UP FOR MIDWEEK
Wolfsburg are in action once again on Thursday as they travel to Sweden to defend their Europa League last-32 first leg lead against Malmo. The score was 2-1 in the first leg.
71'
Substitution
71'
STEFFEN'S SECOND DOUBLE
His goal completes his second Bundesliga brace. His first came back in April 2019 against Hannover, and now he comes off to a standing ovation from the home crowd.
68'
ANOTHER GOAL OF THE MONTH CONTENDER!
Special skills on show from Steffen. His shot is blocked in the Mainz box but he gets the ball back and immediately goes through two defenders with a roulette spin. He then cuts inside past another defender onto his left foot inside the six-yard box and pokes the ball towards the far post, watching it bounce in off the far post. His second of the game.
67'
Substitution
63'
HUGE CHANCE FOR BREKALO
It should really be four for Wolfsburg and another for Brekalo. He's sent in on goal by a superb pass from Ginczezk and only has Zentner to beat. His touch is heavy but he reaches the ball before the Mainz 'keeper, but he can't keep his effort on target as he attempts to find the far bottom corner.
63'
WEATHER TAKEN A TURN
The heavens have opened here in Wolfsburg now with rain pouring down and the wind blowing it every which way. Might make life difficult for both teams in the final 30 minutes.
62'
Substitution
59'
STEFFEN SO CLOSE!
What a fantastic goal this would have been. Otavio's cross goes to the edge of the Mainz box and Steffen arcs his run to meet it, and volley the ball at goal on his left foot. It's curling around but not far enough as Zentner watches the ball whistle past it post with his fingers crossed...
58'
AS THINGS STAND
Unless we see a dramatic comeback from Mainz in this second half things should remain the same in Wolfsburg. This result would see the Wolves climb up to seventh in the table, just two points off Schalke in the Europa League qualification spot. Mainz, meanwhile, still lingering above the drop-zone but now just two points ahead of Fortuna Düsseldorf.
53'
THREE FROM THREE FOR WOLFSBURG
The home side have had three shots on target so far today, and have scored three goals. Not the best day at the office for Robin Zentner in the Mainz goal.
49'
PERFECT START AGAIN FOR WOLFSBURG!
It's a relly well-taken third goal for the Wolves as Steffen plays a great pass through and Ginczek latches onto it. He almost reaches the byline in the Mainz box before perfectly cutting the ball back into the box where Gerhardt was ready to slot it into the net for his first goal of the season.
46'
Substitution
46'
SECOND HALF BEGINS
One change at the break for Mainz and it's an attacking one. Boetius comes on for Barreiro.
Kick-off!
Half-time
45'
STEFFEN WON'T GET AN EASIER GOAL
It's a simple one in the end after a scrappy attack from Wolfsburg. Ginczek's shot at the near post was saved by Zentner but looked perilously close to going over the line. Niakhate went to clear it, sliding the ball up into the air in front of his own goal and Steffen had the simple task of heading it over the line.
42'
HALF CHANCES
Same old story for Mainz in this half as Quaison makes a good run to meet a cross into the box from the left wing, but he can't connect with his header and it's a simple grab for Casteels. The Wolfsburg No.1 hasn't been properly tested so far.
36'
AN EVEN BATTLE
Wolfsburg may be ahead through a wonder-goal from Brekalo, but this game has been very much an even contest. Maintz and Wolfsburg have both enjoyed good amounts of possession and have had chances. The home side may have had slightly more of both, which is the only difference so far - home comforts.
30'
JUST MISSING THE FINAL TOUCH
Mainz are playing well here, getting forward in numbers and on enough occasions, but they are just missing that final touch or pass or even bit of luck in the final third.
29'
SZALAI HEADS ONE OVER
It comes from Mainz's 7th corner of the game already - six of which came in the opening five minutes - but Szalai can't keep his glancing header on target.
24'
ALMOST ANOTHER
Mbabu sends a teasing cross into the Mainz box and Weghorst dummies it knowing Brekalo is lurking behind him. The Croatian forward meets the ball, but Pierre-Gabriel joins him and is able to block it behind.
21'
OH WHAT A GOAL!
Certainly a Goal of the Month contender here as Brekalo opens the scoring in style. He's on the ball 25 yards from goal and just decides to hit it on his left foot. It's curling towards the top corner and although Robin Zentner gets a hand to it, he can't keep it out.
19'
WEGHORST HEATING UP
The Dutchman - coming into this game off the back of a hat-trick at Hoffenheim - is just beginning to come into the action here. He's sharing the frontman role with Daniel Ginczek, although Ginczek is often moving wide or into midfield, leaving Weghorst alone in the middle.
13'
GOALS AND WOLFSBURG... NOT ALWAYS A GUARANTEE
It should be known that games involving Wolfsburg don't always involve the most amount of goals. With 28 scored and 28 conceded this season, the Wolves are the lowest-scoring team in the top half of the table and also one of the best defences.
8'
SLOW TO START
With key players like Arnold and Guivalogui out, it was always going to be a slow start for Wolfsburg this evening. But the players involved - some of them at least - will want to take this as an opportunity to prove their worth.
3'
MAINZ ON TOP
The visitors have had the home side pinned back in their own half in these opening few minutes. No major chances have come from the possession, but it's a positive start.
1'
WE'RE UNDERWAY!
The ball is rolling in Wolfsburg for our final game of the day with Mainz in their Carnival kits, and their fans in Carnival mode.
Kick-off!
NOT THE FINAL GAME OF THE WEEK
Just a reminder to Bundesliga fans that this game coming up in Wolfsburg is not the final game of the Bundesliga weekend. On Monday night, Frankfurt will host Mainz for the final game of the week so make sure your only plans for tomorrow are to watch that game unfold from the Commerzbank-Arena.
MAINZ TEAM NEWS
Head coach Achim Beierlorzer has largely stuck with the same team that drew 0-0 with Schalke last week, their second consecutive match undefeated. The only change is Pierre-Gabriel replacing St. Juste in the back three.
WOLFSBURG TEAM NEWS
Head coach Oliver Glasner has had to make a number of changes, with full-backs Roussillon and William both unvailable through injury, while regular central midfielders Arnold (suspension) and Guilavogui (knock) are also out. Mbabu and Otavio start in defence as a result, while Gerhardt will anchor the midfield. Glasner has gone for a more attacking option with Guilavogui's replacement though, starting Ginczek in attack alongside Weghorst.
WOLFSBURG SUBS
Pervan, Klinger, Mehmedi, Horn, Tisserand, Karamoko, Azzaoui, Joao Victor, May
WOLFSBURG STARTING XI
Casteels (c) - Mbabu, Knoche, Brooks, Otavio - Schlager, Gerhardt - Steffen, Ginczek, Brekalo - Weghorst
MAINZ SUBS
Müller, Aaron, Boetius, Mateta, Ji, Kunde, Onisiwo, Mwene, Fernandes
MAINZ STARTING XI
Zentner - Pierre-Gabriel, Bruma, Niakhate - Baku, Barreiro, Latza (c), Brosinski - Öztunali, Quaison - Szalai
ADVANTAGE WOLFSBURG
The Wolves are unbeaten in their last eight Bundesliga meetings with Mainz, winning the last two and drawing the previous six. Overall, Wolfsburg have won 14 of the 37 top-flight encounters, drawing 15 and losing eight. The visitors' last triumph at the Volkswagen Arena was on 30 September 2012.
THE STAKES
After a strong start to the season, Wolfsburg suffered a dip before the winter break and began 2020 with back-to-back defeats. However, they're unbeaten in their last three games in the league and are eyeing three more points here as they look to climb up from ninth. For Mainz, meanwhile, it's all about pulling clear of the relegation zone, with just two points separating them from Fortuna Düsseldorf in 17th.
HELLO AND WELCOME!
Thanks for joining us as Wolfsburg host Mainz at the Volkswagen Arena in the penultimate game of Matchday 23. The line-ups will be announced soon, and we'll bring you all you need to know before kick-off too.
Welcome along to the match centre for the game Wolfsburg vs. Mainz from matchday 23 of the 2019/20 Bundesliga season at the Volkswagen Arena. Check back here for full information on the match.