Tuesday, May 12, 2009

BVB's streak ends to Wolfsburg

Die Schwarzgelben unbeaten run came to end at the hands of first-place Wolfsburg, losing 3-0 at Volkswagen Arena. Although disappointed with the loss, the scoreline was deceiving and BVB was definitely the victim of a number of dubious calls.

BVB-Cheftrainer Jürgen Klopp confidently pushed his side forward from the opening whistle and without a doubt the home side was on their heels forced to defend. Jakub Błaszczykowski flanking runs were filleting Wolfsburg's defenders and early on the Polish international provided Alexander Frei a high quality chance but he could not get his shot off. Exposing Wolfsburg's flanking weakness, at the eleventh minute Patrick Owomoyela sped down the right linking with Tamás Hajnal to supply Frei another chance but his set-up was off and he sent his shot high. In their first real scoring chance Grafite and Josué worked a one-two with Edin Džeko being supplied and finishing from just beyond ten metres. BVB was not deterred by the goal and returned to controlling the run of play, threatening again but as is so often the case for visitors to Volkswagen Arena calls didn't go their way. Another quality chance for BVB to break onto the score sheet was denied when Alexander Madlung dragged Felipe Santana off the ball but the call did not come. However referee decisions aside BVB was unable to break down Wolfsburg with the final touch and two minutes into the new half the Bosnian Džeko passed Grafite the ball from the left and he quickly drove the ball in. Down 2-0 the matches pace slowed and Jürgen Klopp pulled Tamás Hajnal, Nelson Valdez and Jakub Blaszczykowski to ensure their availability for the remaining matches. With fifteen minutes remaining Kevin-Prince Boateng received a straight red-card in another peculiar call as he was adjudged to throwing a elbox, although it seemed anything but intentional. With five minutes left Wolfsburg made it 3-0 as Grafite's pass for the left careened off Felipe Santana foot to Edin Džeko, with the Bosnian adding his second of the day.

On Saturday BVB makes its final push for the Europa League as the schwarz-weiß-blauen of Bielefeld visit Westfalenstadion.