Die Lausitzer end Wolfsburg run

Wolfsburg's remarkable unbeaten run during the Rückrunde came to shocking conclusion losing 2-0 to relegation threatened Energie Cottbus. For the Lausitz side, it was the performance of the year that could save them relegation but equally it could cost Wolfsburg the Bundesliga championship. The loss leaves Wolfsburg holding a two point margin over Hertha BSC but without question will be remembered as a lost opportunity.

Committed to unbreakable defending, Bojan Prašnikar's forces nullified Wolfsburg's advances, limiting them to a few unfilled chance before the break. After Edin Džeko was denied from point blank range by Energie 'keeper Gerhard Tremmel, the hosts took the lead with eighteen minutes remaining. Off a short corner play Partizan product Ivica Iliev sent a high lob cross to the far post that Bulgarian international Dimitar Rangelov nodded-in with Wolfsburg a casual defenders a casual observer to the mark. With four minutes remaining a long ball found Dimitar Rangelov to the left and after holding off Wolfsburg's challenges he dispatched the ball to Dennis Sørensen on the right. The Danish international played-in Ervin Skela who then drove the ball in from a tight angle ball to make it 2-0.

Edin Džeko and Zvjezdan Misimović can't be stopped

The deadly combination of Bosnia and Herzegovina internationals Edin Džeko and Zvjezdan Misimović once again pulled Die Wölfe to victory as sent English side Portsmouth home with a 3-2 defeat. Twenty-two year-old Edin Džeko brought Volkswagen Arena to its feet only three minutes into the match as he redirected Christian Gentner's perfect cross to the back of the net. Three Lions capped Jermain Defoe brought the match level only eight minutes later, capitalized upon a poor clearance by Wolfsburg 'keeper Diego Benaglio. Clearly energized by the goal, Pompey took the lead a further three minutes later with Arnold Mvuemba's strike taking a gratuitous deflection from nearly twenty meters. To continue the goal made start, only twenty-three minutes after the start the match was brought level at two as Christian Gentner's shot that appeared for more like a cross than a attempt on the goal, somehow evaded everyone including Portsmouth 'keeper David James. While an agreement not to bother with defending seemed to be evoked the match was empty of goals till the sixteen minutes remained when David James handled a long ball horribly, gifting it to Zvjezdan Misimović for the winning strike. Ten minutes before time Sol Campbell was adjudged to fouling young Edin Džeko in the area but Zvjezdan's effort was stopped by the Portsmouth 'keeper however Wolfsburg held for the 3-2 victory.

Wolfsburg now advances to the round of thirty-two with a perfect record in three matches. Felix Magath's side returns to Bundesliga action against Hannover 96 on Sunday.

Vfb suffer horrible loss

In a match that cost Armin Veh his job, Vfb lost to Wolfsburg 4-1 at Volkswagen Area. The scoreline hides the fact that although die Roten were missing Ricardo Osorio, Pavel Pardo and Sami Khedira from last weekends lineup they took the lead seventeen minutes after the opening whistle as Martin Lanig scored from close range, coming off a Mario Gómez shot. However midfield weakness and poor tactical planning to deal with who I feel is one of the most valuable players in the Bundesliga, Zvjezdan Misimović. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international was a whirlwind of action and stretch and prodded the Vfb defenders incessantly. While die Roten held them back through the break through Jens Lehmann and a ample serving of good fortune it wasn't long till the home side broke through. With the restart Wolfsburg hungered for the tying goal and got at the fifty-first minute when Grafite latched onto a rebound of Zvjezdan Misimović shot and drove it behind Jens. The pace of the match slow slightly for the next ten minutes and Wolfsburg padlocked Vfb's forward assaults to perfection. Six minutes past the hour-mark Brazilian striker Grafite continued to terrorize Vfb picking his second goal of the match. It is speculative in-nature but the response from the club at this stage certainly added to the contention that they lack focus with a series of defensive blunders and a managerial change was needed. Only three minutes after the go-ahead goal Misimović's Plavo-žuti mate Edin Džeko scored and added his second with five minutes to play.

Following the match Armin Veh said:

"We were very disciplined throughout the first half and everything was very orderly. We went into the break in the lead and confident. We ruined things for ourselves with the mistakes we made. It was clear to see that we are not mentally in good form at the moment. We lost our shape and had nothing in reserve after we went 2-1 down. We are in a difficult position at the moment and need to remedy that."

Thomas Hitzlsperger comments were one-hundred per-cent accurate when he said:

"We played exactly as we had set out to do in the first half. We closed down the spaces early on and put together a couple of good moves ourselves. The lead was a bit lucky maybe but we were playing well at the time. We lost the plot once they equalised and made simple mistakes which Wolfsburg punished. The way this game went is typical of our current situation - we can't pull ourselves together once we've conceded."

Energie Cottbus match preview

Less than forty-eight hours since the victory over Heerenveen in the UEFA Cup, Wolfsburg faces Energie Cottbus at Volkswagen Arena. With the Bundesliga race so close and this appears to be the year of the upset with TSG Hoffenheim on top of the table and FC Köln now sixth in the table, all matches are key. While Energie is at the bottom of the table and they will have Dimitar Rangelov back from injury, they cannot be overlooked. Fatigue is a definite factor with Wolfsburg and die Lausitzer' defensive tactics and counter-attack ready approach suit this situation perfectly. Wolfsburg is reporting no injuries and will need to attack early and then lock-down the match defensively or the visitors will be very difficult to wrestle a draw away. Once again, watch for the emerging talent of young striker Edin Džeko, working close with play-maker Zvjezdan Misimović.

I will report on the match as it concludes.

Edin Džeko leads Wolfsburg to powerful victory

Wolfsburg UEFA Cup Group stage efforts got off to a perfect start with a 5 - 1 detonation of Heerenveen at Volkswagen Arena. After a less-than inspiring start, Danijel Pranjić sent a long pass to Mika Väyrynen, who then scored to give the Eredivisie club a 1-0 lead at the thirty-first minute. For supporters of Heerenveen you'll want to turn-away after this because Wolfsburg errupted for five unanswered goals lead by Edin Džeko, a rising star in the Bundesliga. The twenty-two year-old striker headed-in the corner from his Bosnia and Herzegovina teammate Zvjezdan Misimović leven minutes before the break. Only five minutes later Grafite was the recipient of a Ashkan Dejagah cross into the box and the Brazilian converted to give Wolfsburg the 2-1 lead. Eight minutes after the break Zvjezdan Misimovic pounced on a loss ball in the box and Wolfsburg had a two goal lead to the delight on their home supporters. Just past the hour mark Grafite turned provided, setting up Edin Džeko for a slick volley to the back of the net. Finally with nineteen minutes remaining, veteran Polish international Jacek Krzynówek completed a splendid long run with a powerful left-footed drive into the net.

Wolfsburg returns to Bundesliga action this Saturday against Energie Cottbus.