Augsburg – Wolfsburg: Mbabu’s Stellar Run Steals Three Points For The Visitors (1-2)

Augsburg’s inability to fully capitalize on a dominating start to the second half was eventually exposed by a 91st minute winner from substitute Daniel Ginczek, who was the beneficiary of a brilliant slaloming run by fullback Kevin Mbabu. 

Tactical analysis and match report by K.T. Stockwell.

Prior to the COVID-imposed break Wolfsburg were in the midst of a solid run of form. Five matches without a loss, including a hard-fought draw against RB Leipzig, elevated the club from tenth to seventh in the table and back into contention for Europe. New manager Oliver Glasner’s intense pressing and quick transition game was beginning to take hold. No where was this more obvious than in the play of star striker Wout Weghorst, who collected four goals in his side’s successful five match run prior to the pause. 

In a bitter twist of fate, Weghorst was ruled out of his club’s fixture against Augsburg through injury. Additionally, reliable left-sided player, Jérôme Roussillon was relegated to the bench because of similar injury woes. The tandem’s absence meant Paulo Otávio and Renato Steffan were given starts at fullback and striker respectively. However, Galsner’s 4-2-3-1 shape was buoyed by the inclusion of standouts Xaver Schlager and Maximillian Arnold in midfield. 

Alternatively, Augsburg’s form prior to the protracted break was dreadful with manager Heiko Herllich’s side failing to record a victory in five straight matches. To make matters worse they would have to . . .