The Borussia Mönchengladbach revival under Lucien Favre continued with a hearty 4-1 mauling of visiting VfL Wolfsburg to maintain their unbeaten start of the Bundesliga hinrude.

Coming off their draw to VfB Stuttgart, the Borussia manager made a single change to his starting eleven with veteran Thorben Marx entering for Roel Brouwers who was unavailable due to last weeks late red-card. His counterpart, Wolfsburg manager Felix Magath whose side were shocked at the last gasp by Bayern, equally made one change as he called upon Thomas Hitzlsperger in his debut for Patrick Ochs

Memories of Borussia’s stunning great escape last season seen far removed from this year’s side that has the faithful gleaming with pride. However Wolfsburg had other intentions of their southwest neighbours as they went out in front at the twelfth minute as a cross from the left was volleyed back to Makoto Hasebe on the edge of the area before the former Urawa Red Diamonds man sent the ball to the near post past Borussia goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. The lead did not last long as three minutes later Marco Reus notched his first of two goals taking advantage of a dreadful defending error. With the ball playing back to him, Wolfburg defender Simon Kjær simply fell in the approach allowing to Raúl Bobadilla to race forward in alone on ‘keeper Diego Benaglio before providing to Marco Reus on his right for the finish into the empty net. Die Fohlen continued to dominate and took the lead they would not relinquish two minutes past the half-hour as Michael Schulze was adjudged for bringing down Marco Reus in the area, to which Filip Daems rifled the ball into the low right corner of net. After a close range miss from Mike Hanke, Borussia doubled its advantage just shy of the break as Raúl Bobadilla was virtually unmarked on the Wolfsburg goal to head in a corner from the right.

Continuing to dominate after the restart, Borussia pressed forward with Marco Reus denied early but Wolfburg rarely hinting at an attack. Finally after knocking at the door of an insurance marker, Marco Reus, from ten metres, volleyed Juan Arango’s deft right wing cross. Though Wolfsburg tried to make a game out of it, there was no way past Marc-André ter Stegen and Borussia Mönchengladbach laid claim to the 3-1 victory.

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VfL Wolfburg’s relegation fears accelerated as they fell 2-1 to European hopefuls FC Nürnberg, via Per Nilsson’s last gasp strike. With the result, the 2009 Bundesliga champions crash to the final relegation spot, whilst FCK squeezes to within a point of Mainz 05.

With only a single win in their last six contests, the free falling Wolfsburg was in dire need of a win in front of their home supporters at Volkswagen Arena. Pierre Littbarski’s forces came out quickly with Dieudonne Mbokani’s effort shy of the quarter-hour stopped by FCK goalkeeper Raphael Schäfer. Die Wölfe would not be deterred and at the twenty-second minute former Žilina man Peter Pekarík delivered a stunning cross from the right flank that Mario Mandžukić nodded into the net. Wolfsburg continued the onslaught but after Diego squandered a high probability chance, FCK levelled just before the break as Philipp Wollscheid nodded a long free-kick past Wolfsburg ‘keeper Diego Benaglio.

The second half began with play much like the first, with Wolfsburg dominating but unable to find the needed touch. Mario Mandžukić saw two quality efforts stopped with late chance by Cicero drifting wide as FCK offered little going forward. Wolfsburg would rue their missed opportunities as Per Nilsson, after entering for Almog Cohen in the final moments, headed a corner into the back of the net to give Nürnberg the 2-1 victory.

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John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook , Renegade Training™’s, as well as or Twitter.

In addition to Europa League News, John Davies writes on the “Beautiful Game” for Russian media giant Sport-Express. (Спорт-Экспресс) as well as the legendary Spartak Moscow.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen extended its chase of runaway Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund with a 3-0 beat down of free falling VfL Wolfsburg. With the result, Werkself pushes two points ahead of third place Hannover 96 as the race for a Champions League berth goes into top gear, whilst Wolfsburg is in the thick of the relegation battle at the fourteenth spot.

Coming off their disappointing loss to Werder Bremen, Bayer 04 were far from steady in the opening stages. Shy of the quarter-hour, Sascha Riether was in prime territory to give Wolfsburg a rare lead but he was unable to make use of Cicero fine cross. Following that foray by the visitors, Werkself found its attacking vision as the highly promising Lars Bender latched onto Sidney Sam’s deft provision and from the edge of the area on the right, drilled the ball into the net for the 1-0 lead at the twenty-first minute. The hosts continued to dominant and after Diego Benaglio halted Gonzalo Castro’’s effort, the margin was doubled a minute shy of the half-hour as Renato Augusto exposed the visitors on the counter to score from the right side of the area. A minute into added time the match was fait accompli as Stefan Kießling raced onto end of chipped pass from Renato Auguto, following another deplorable turnover, with the German international deftly lofting over the sprawling ‘keeper to give Bayer 04 the three goal advantage after the break.

After the re-start, Jupp Heynckes’ side were clearly taking their foot off the acceleration as they killed off the proceedings. Following a close range chance by Makoto Hasebe came up empty near the hour mark, Bayer 04 began to push forward with only Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio keeping the score respectable. With twenty minutes remaining in regulation time, Grafite entered for Peter Pekarík as Wolfsburg searched for a way back into the contest but it was not forthcoming and Bayer 04 Leverkusen claimed a 3-0 victory.

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The Author: John Davies is available on his personal page on Facebook, Twitter with his business leadership and motivational video logs on his YouTube channel. In addition to writing for Europa League News, his Football reports appear for pre-eminent Russian media outlet Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс), the legendary Spartak Moscow.

Within the sporting world, his work is widely regarded as some of the most influential in the sport. Whether it you refer to it as Football, Fútbol, Fußball, Футбол, Calcio or Soccer, his protocols are a cornerstone in training circles across the world. For more information on his sports training practice please visit Renegade Training™ and join their group on Facebook.

Borussia Dortmund continued its charge to the Bundesliga title with an overwhelming 3-0 defeat of VfL Wolfsburg at Volkswagon Stadion on Saturday afternoon. With the result, the Dortmunders climbed eleventh points ahead of second-place Bayer 04 Leverkusen, with Steve McClaren’s Wolfsburg languishing too close to the relegation zone for comfort at the twelfth spot.

BVB manager Jürgen Klopp made two adjustments to his most recent starting eleven with Lucas Barrios and Sven Bender coming in for Robert Lewandowski and Antônio da Silva.

With a hearty travelling lot of supporters, BVB took the contest by storm two minutes after match-day referee Knut Kircher’s opening whistle as a flanking assault penetrated the hosts porous defending with Lucas Barrios volleying Mario Götze cross from the right into the net, after the young midfielder had been played through by Nuri Şahin. Die Schwarzgelben swarmed the hosts, narrowly missed doubling the lead moments later only to see Josué clear Lucas Barrios goal bounder header cleared off the line. Wolfsburg, a shadow of its former attacking self when Zvjezdan Misimović steered the attack was showing little going forward as BVB were in complete control. BVB continued the pressure Wolfsburg and after a number of efforts came up for naught finally doubled the margin as the fortieth minute when Nuri Şahin latched onto a close range rebound, albeit a questionable handball of a defenders, of Mario Götze and send his fifth goal of the campaign to the back of the net.

At the re-start, Steve McLaren summoned Thomas Kahlenberg for Sascha Riether and while Wolfsburg was showing promise, BVB’s polished defending was up to the challenge. Maintained a tight, organized midfield BVB allowed few serious chances as much of the play was box to box. . The Wolfsburg tactician continued to look for the right make-up calling upon Fabian Johnson for Mario Mandžukić seven minutes past the hour with Dieumerci Mbokani for an ineffective Grafite moments later. If there was hope for a comeback that ended with nineteen minutes remaining in the contest as following a corner on the right, the ball came back to Nuri Şahin who then delivered a cross into the box that Mats Hummels redirected into the net. Now, fait accompli, BVB took advantages of their host’s desperation but could not crash though Wolfsburg’s ‘keeper Diego Benaglio net and had to be satisfied with a 3-0 victory ahead of next weeks Revierderby against Schalke 04.

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From the initial stages of Roman Pavlyuchenko’s possible return to Russia this past winter, the likelihood of any deal has been moderate given the broad difference in Tottenham’s asking price and the going market. After a superb late run, that equally saw the Hotspur’s qualify for the Champions League, the Russian internationals stock as risen considerably and unless other events came into play a move to either Lokomotiv or Spartak seemed unlikely.

This could be changing at a radically face pace as, though only rumoured at this time, a move to bring Edin Džeko from VfL Wolfsburg to the north London club is said to be in the works. Valued at roughly €30 million, the twenty-four year-old has shown interest in the past of moving from the Bundesliga and the added cash will allow new manager Steve McClaren to retool his line-up. The former Twente manager is rumoured to be interested in bringing Wales international Craig Bellamy from Manchester City for just over €9 million. By all accounts, the climate is right for this puzzle to be pieced together and should it, Roman Pavlyuchenko may return to Russia.

For Lokomotiv, who appear to be better positioned for the move, much will be decided with the stock of Peter Odemwingie. The Nigerian international, has lacked a cutting edge this year and the Railwayman are looking for a solid World Cup to bolster his value. If the club can attract and offer near the €10 million range he will be moved, thus setting up the next flurry of activity to bring Roman Pavlyuchenko to Lokomotiv and give Yuriy Semin the proven goal scorer he needs.

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Werder Bremen continued their remarkable climb with a come from behind 4-2 victory over defending champions VfL Wolfsburg at Volkswagen Arena. With the result, Thomas Schaaf’s men move to the third spot in the Bundesliga table, whilst Wolfsburg European hopes seem bleak as they fall to eight.

Die Wölfe went out in-front 1-0 three pasts the quarter-hour as Edin Džeko accepted the provision of his Bosnia and Herzegovina team-mate Zvjezdan Misimović before sending the ball past Werder ‘keeper Tim Wiese. Seven minutes shy of the break, the match was levelled as Torsten Frings scored from the spot after Fabian Johnson brought down Marko Marin in the area. The deadlock did not last long as only two minutes later Zvjezdan Misimović demonstrated his vast play making skills, with the Grafite closing out the opportunity from twelve metres and giving Wolfsburg the 2-1 at the break.

Four minutes after the break, Werder equalized as Claudio Pizarro headed Clemens Fritz’s cross to the back of the net. After Zvjezdan Misimović rasped an effort off the post, Werder went out in front two minutes past the hour as Torsten Frings accepted the ball from Claudio Pizarro and after navigating past Andrea Barzagli scored from close range. Die Grün-Weißen added an insurance market with sixteen minutes remaining in regulation time as Hugo Almeida, per Mesut Özil’s pass volleyed the ball into the back of the net to bring the match to 4-2 final score, in favour of Werder Bremen.

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Defending Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg problematic campaign continued as they were pushed out of Europa League by Fulham after losing the second leg of the quarterfinal tie 1-0 at Volkswagen Arena and the aggregate 2-0.

Coming off the opening leg one-goal loss at Craven Cottage, Lorenz-Günther Köstner’s side fell behind 1-0 not quite thirty seconds after the opening whistle as Bobby Zamora stuck the knife through the heart of their hosts. Accepting Zoltán Gera’s provision a few metres inside the box, the attacker who many think is deserving of a spot with England’s World Cup roster, turned and fired a left footed effort to the back of the net. Die Wölfe had little bite after the early goal and suffered from abysmal finishing. Six minutes later Zoltán Gera forced Wolfsburg ‘keeper Diego Benaglio to stretch out to paw away his header from a right wing cross. In a comedy of errors, Wolfsburg missed a glorious chance to level just before the break when Grafite and Edin Džeko collided as they attempted to head a cross from the left. The hosts were having little success and of the opportunities that did come their way Fulham ‘keeper Mark Schwarzer was resolute, as he did with fifteen minutes remaining when he stopped Edin Džeko’s effort that came off Christian Gentner’s corner from the right. Typifying Wolfsburg night, with seven minutes remaining Bosnia and Herzegovina international Edin Džeko sent a drive off the left post only to see Grafite’s rapid-fire effort cleared off the line by Brede Hangeland. Without further incident, the match concluded 1-0 in Fulham’s favour.

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In the opening leg of their Europa League quarterfinal tie, defending Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg lacked their normal cutting edge and fell 2-1 to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The match commenced with both sides cautious and lacking the inspiration to carve out any openings. Though opportunities did arise prior to the break, finishing was dreadfully off and the match remained deadlocked as they went to the change rooms.

After the break, Wolfsburg manager Lorenz-Günther Köstner saw Edin Džeko squander a number of top shelf scoring chances before Bobby Zamora gave the hosts the 1- 0 lead a minute shy of the hour with a powerful strike. Accepting a long diagonal pass on the right, he created some space by moving to his left before skipping the ball into the net from just beyond the area. Only four minutes later, Fulham doubled their lead as the goal scorer turned provider. Accepting a cross from the left, Bobby Zamora laid the ball back to Damien Duff with the former Newscastle man driving the ball into the back of the net from fourteen metres. Wolfsburg was suggesting little attacking vision but with a minute remaining in regulation time, drew the match to within one as Alexander Madlung sent in Zvjezdan Misimović’s cross to bring the match to a 2-1 final score.

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Staring into the abyss of relegation, Hertha Berlin responded with a 5-1 detonation of VfL Wolfsburg at Volkswagen Arena. With seven weeks left in the Bundesliga campaign the Berliners face a daunting task of making up five points on Hannover 96 and SC Freiburg from the bottom of the table, whilst Wolfsburg sit at the tenth spot.

In clearly their best match of the campaign, the Berliners who at the start of the day were one of the worst attacking sides in the Bundesliga, went out in-front by a three goal margin before the half-hour. Six minutes after the opening whistle, Theofanis Gekas took advantage of road weary Wolfsburg and accepted Raffael’s provision from the right by-line before firing past ‘keeper Marwin Hitz into the opposite left corner of the net. Pride was evident as the Berliners could not be held back and went up 2-0 only two minutes later as Adrián Ramos took advantage of scandalous defending as HSV ‘keeper Jaroslav Drobný sent a long ball that simply bounced over the Wolfsburg defenders and the striker volleyed into the net from fifteen metres. Four minutes shy of the half-hour Berlin pressed forward and went out in front 3-0 as Theofanis Gekas got on the end of Cícero’s through ball on the left channel and turned the ball past the shell shocked Wolfsburg ‘keeper. Wolfsburg manager Lorenz-Günther Köstner summoned Grafite in for Jan Šimůnek five minutes after the hour and only a minute later the striker turned in Edin Džeko’s cross from the left by-line to make it 3-1 but without question, this was Berlin’s day.

After the break, the Berliners kept pouring forward in as much as point of confidence as well as statement for the rest of the Bundesliga in the remaining weeks. At the sixty-third minute Arne Friedrich surged forward before sending the ball to Theofanis Gekas just inside the area and after the striker fought off the Wolfsburg defenders he drilled his third of evening into the net. To the delight of their travelling supporters, with five minutes remaining in regulation time, Adrián Ramos, at the left side of the area, accepted a pass from Fabian Lustenberger before sending a right-footed effort to give Hertha Berlin the 5-1 victory. Berlin’s task is a great one but with their pedigree, they are capable of the greatest of escapes.

Both sides return to play next Saturday as the Berliners welcome surging Borussia Dortmund to Olympiastadion, whilst VfL Wolfsburg visits Mainz.

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Rubin Kazan’s hopes for the Europa League quarterfinals ended as they fell 2-1 to VfL Wolfsburg, via a late extra-time strike by Christian Gentner at Volkswagen Arena in the second-leg of their tie, losing the aggregate 3-2.

After a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the opening leg in Kazan, Rubin knew it had its work cut out for them against the surging Bundesliga champions. The early stages of the affair were modest with Marwin Hitz warming up his mitts saving Cristian Noboa’s free kick well shy of the tenth minute. Prior to the quarter-hour, the Tatarstan side began to create some problems as Hasan Kabze was presented with a fine opportunity though he was unable to find the mark. Rubin dodged a bullet soon thereafter as goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov denied Ashkan Dejagah from point blank range before Bosnia and Herzegovina international Edin Džeko pushed a quality chance aside a few minutes later. However, at the twenty-first minute Kurban Berdyev’s took the 1-0 lead as Alan Kasaev (Алан Касаев) accepted Aleksandr Bukharov’s (Александр Бухаров) provision before sending the ball in from a few metres out. Both sides had fine chances prior to the break though neither was able to finish the task and Rubin went to the break with the one goal advantage.

After the break Wolfsburg manager Lorenz-Günther Köstner juggled his line-up, adding an extra striker with Oba Martins coming in for Peter Pekarík and quickly the hosts began to carve out some scoring chances. Two minutes shy of the hour Zvjezdan Misimović sent a free kick that Jan Šimůnek nodded back for former Newcastle man Oba Martins nudged in for the leveller. Only six minutes later, Rubin came within a whisper of going in front but ‘keeper Marwin Hitz stretched out to deny Aleksandr Bukharov as the match began to show more attacking promise. A number of chances fell victim poor final touches included a last gasp chance by Oba Martins that the Rubin ‘keeper stopped and without the decider the match headed to extra-time.

Seven minutes into extra-time, Kurban Berdyev summoned Lasha Salukvadze and Macbeth Sibaya for Cristian Ansaldi and Rafal Murawski as he looked to add fresh legs into the mix. The Russian champions began to push forward with César Navas headed Christian Noboa’s pass off-course a few minutes prior to the opening period.

Three minutes into the second period of extra-time César Navas received his second yellow-card, giving Wolfsburg the man advantage for the remaining time. Wolfsburg were enjoying the run of play and just before the end of extra-time and penalties, Oba Martins linked the ball to Christian Gentner who subsequently sent the ball in from the edge of the area.

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