Wout Weghorst caps off late Wolfsburg comeback against Union
Wout Weghorst scored the all-important equaliser as Wolfsburg netted twice in the final half hour of Sunday's clash with Union Berlin to further underline their comeback ability.
Union Berlin 2-2 Wolfsburg
Goals: 1-0 Andersson (41’), 2-0 Friedrich (56’), 2-1 Gerhardt (60‘), 2-2 Weghorst (81‘)
With both sides adopting a risk-averse approach, a cagey opening saw promising positions produce little end product in front of goal. The first chance of the game almost broke the deadlock, but Rafal Gikiewicz was sharp in denying Weghorst twice in quick succession. With set-pieces providing the greatest threat, Union took the wind out of Wolfsburg's sails either side of half-time as they scored with their first two shots on goal. Sebastian Andersson headed Christopher Trimmel's free-kick beyond an onrushing Koen Casteels before the break and after, it was Marvin Friedrich who got the run on his man to glance into the far corner.
The Wolves reduced the arrears with a header of their own when Yannick Gerhardt popped up unmarked at the near post to meet Maximilian Arnold's corner on the hour mark. After exchanging half chances, Weghorst got in on the aerial act, nodding home from point-blank range as Wolfsburg came from behind for the eighth time this season to stretch their unbeaten league run to five and keep pace with the top six at the end of a hard-fought encounter.
Match stats
- Eight of Trimmel’s set-pieces have resulted in goals for Union this season – a league high.
- Half of Andersson’s 10 goals this season have been headed efforts. No other player has netted more headers than the Swede (same as Robert Lewandowski).
- Christian Gentner became the 67th player in Bundesliga history to make his 400th top-flight appearance. It came against Wolfsburg, for whom he featured 99 times.
- Wolfsburg have picked up points from losing positions more often than any other side this season (1W 7D).
- The Wolves only conceded one header in the first half of the season, but have conceded seven since the turn of the year.
- All four goals came from headed efforts – the most of any Bundesliga match in 2019/20.
Watch: Union veteran Christian Gentner reflects on a special milestone
Line-ups
Union: Gikiewicz – Friedrich, Schlotterbeck, Subotic – Trimmel (c), Andrich, Gentner (Prömel 73'), Lenz – Malli (Ingvartsen 66'), Bülter (Ryerson 83') – Andersson
Unused subs: Nicolas, Hübner, Kroos, Polter, Ujah, Becker
Out: Gogia (match fitness), Mees (thigh), Schmiedebach (muscular)
Coach: Urs Fischer
Wolfsburg: Casteels – Mbabu, Knoche, Brooks, Otavio – Arnold (c), Gerhardt – Steffen (Mehmedi 63'), Brekalo (Klaus 88') - Ginczek (Victor 77'), Weghorst
Unused subs: Pervan, Tisserand, Schlager, Azzaoui, May, Karamoko
Out: Camacho (ankle), Guilavogui (knee), Pongracic (suspended), Roussillon (thigh), William (knee)
Coach: Oliver Glasner
Watch: Union captain Christopher Trimmel on his dead-ball prowess
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