MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 11:53:03| >> :600:1141896:1141896:
[monks data]
Wolfsburg
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 21, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
PSV

2-0

Dost (46'), Kruse (57')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Wolfsburg 2-0 PSV Eindhoven - as it happened

Take a look back at how Wolfsburg climbed to the top of Group B with a 2-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven.
2

Wolfsburg moved to the top of Group B thanks to a 2-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven as the group stage reached the halfway point.

Chances were difficult to come by as PSV produced a strong defensive display before the break, but Wolfsburg took control as both Bas Dost and Max Kruse both struck inside the first 12 minutes of the second half.

PSV had a chance to set up a dramatic in stoppage time when Diego Benaglio brought down Jurgen Locadia, whose penalty was then saved by the Wolfsburg goalkeeper.

Read below to find out how the action unfolded.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
Good evening everyone! Last night was a pretty good one in the Champions League and the group stage continues this evening as I bring you the action from Wolfsburg vs. PSV Eindhoven. All four side in Group B are currently on three points. Who can pull clear tonight?

Group B is certainly proving difficult to call and it could be the results in these double headers which make the big difference. Wolfsburg claimed victory over CSKA Moscow before beating Manchester United, while achieved the opposite results against those sides. On paper, United and Wolfsburg should be favourites to progress but there promises to be plenty more twists and turns.

WOLFSBURG: Benaglio; Träsch, Naldo, Dante, Rodriguez; Luiz Gustavo, Guilavogui; Caligiuri, Draxler; Kruse; Dost
SUBS: Casteels-Schäfer, Klose, Vieirinha, Schürrle, Jung, Arnold

No changes from Dieter Hecking tonight as he sticks with the same side that beat Hoffenheim 4-2 at the weekend. Bas Dost is the leader of the attack in front of an exciting trio of Max Kruse, Julian Draxler and Daniel Caligiuri. Andre Schurrle is among the substitutes for the hosts, while Nicklas Bendtner misses out due to injury.

PSV: Zoet; Poulsen, Moreno, Bruma, Brenet; Hendrix, Propper, Maher, Narsingh, Guardado; De Jong
SUBS: Pasveer, Isimat, Pereiro, Schaars, Locadia, Vloet, De Wijs

PSV are handed a boost as Luuk de Jong returns from injury to start. Santiago Arias misses out after picking up a red card in the loss to CSKA, which hands Joshua Brenet an opportunity at right-back. Adam Maher is also named in the starting lineup as PSV start with what appears to be a 4-5-1 formation.


With just goals separating the four sides in Group B at this stage, Hecking will not be getting ahead of himself if Wolfsburg claim the victory over the Dutch visitors tonight.

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking arrives for his team's game with Ingolstadt on September 12, 2015© AFP

"Even if we win, though, nothing will have been decided in the group because there are three more matches to play," he told reporters in his pre-match press conference.

"That's why we play game by game. We will have chance to win tomorrow. But even if we lose, we will have a good chance of going through. PSV have a well-balanced team, very lively. And for this we need good answers on the pitch."


In his own press briefing, PSV boss Phillip Cocu told reporters: "If you start to fear a duel, you better stay home. But it is clear that we can definitely afford few mistakes in the Champions League. If we are not optimal, it is an uphill battle. But against Manchester United we have shown that we can do it, we want to bring that form to Wednesday, too. "

Phillip Cocu, coach of PSV Eindhoven looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United at PSV Stadion on September 15, 2015© Getty Images


PREDICTION: PSV have shown how dangerous they can be after shocking Man Utd on the opening matchday, but they may struggle to enjoy similar success tonight and defeat to CSKA showed their defensive vulnerability. Wolfsburg are excellent at home and will commit plenty of men forward. Im going for a 2-0 home win.

A quick reminder that you can follow any of tonight's Champions League fixtures by clicking on the game in the live scores box. I'll keep you updated with the other Group B game as CSKA host Man Utd in Russia.

KICKOFF! Wolfsburg get the game underway, and the early signs already suggest that PSV are not interested in pressing the ball high up the pitch. It does not stop the hosts getting through immediately as Guilavogui delivers a low cross which is turned behind before Dost can convert at the front post. Great start from Wolfsburg.

PSV sitting very deep when they do not have the ball and fail to make the most of a promising break as De Jong cuts inside to see a lobbed ball blocked by Naldo.

It isn't the quickest pace, but Wolfsburg certainly look very comfortable in the opening minutes of the game. Kruse is almost playing as a second striker at times as the hosts threaten with a Guilavogui cross which is aimed for Dost, but Moreno heads behind under pressure.

Wolfsburg are bossing the game at the moment. Caligiuri capitalises on space to unleash a powerful strike which Zoet beats away. The hosts win the ball back, before Draxler sends a weak effort straight at the PSV goalkeeper.

Maher is too quick for Guilavogui as he wins a free kick to put the pressure on Wolfsburg, but despite the delivery being sent into a good area, Bruma is caught offside.

PSV are beginning to settle down after a worrying start. It's clear that they have no intention of putting too much pressure on the Wolfsburg defenders when the hosts have the ball, but they're starting to earn possession more regularly now.

Better from Narsingh as he makes a good run off the ball to get in behind Rodriguez on the right, but the cross intended for De Jong is cut out by Naldo, before the hosts clear the corner.

Good goalkeeping on show as Benaglio races off his line to collect a potentially dangerous ball. Interesting move from Wolfsburg as Rodriguez switches wings to move to right-back, with Trasch coming over to the left. Narsingh did threaten Rodriguez a few moments ago, but it's a surprising change.

Rodriguez and Trasch have swapped back already! Draxler gets on the ball in the box at the other end, but Bruma stands up and makes a perfectly-timed tackle to relieve the pressure on the defence.

Naldo is being given plenty of chances to pick out the Wolfsburg attackers with lobbed passes forward, but PSV are defending them well at the moment as Bruma wins a free kick under pressure from Draxler. The hosts need to be quicker on the ball in the final third.

A ball comes inside and sits up nicely for Maher, but he is unable to test Benaglio as a speculative half-volley from 25 yards drifts wide of the post.

Wolfsburg dominating possession once again. Naldo steps into midfield to win the ball before picking out Kruse, who should find the run of Dost but instead fires a wild effort over from close to 30 yards out.

Good football on show from the visitors. Hendrix is at the heart of the move as he sends the ball out right before collecting again to find Brenet, whose low cross is just too close to Benaglio as the Wolfsburg goalkeeper collects.

Benaglio is backtracking for a moment when Hendrix's long-range effort takes a huge deflection which sends the ball looping onto the roof of the net. It has not been easy for either side to create clear chances. The first goal is going to be vital.

Draxler is being forced out wide regularly, but it certainly isn't where he does his best work. PSV clear once again when a deflected cross threatens to find Dost at the back post.

Credit to PSV so far. Wolfsburg are used to playing at a much quicker pace and creating opportunities at home, but PSV have looked comfortable after a sloppy opening minute. Cocu's are proving to be very difficult to break down.

CHANCE! First real chance of the night as Benaglio drifts close to the touchline before playing a clever ball inside. Poulsen is caught off balance as the ball reaches Gustavo, but the Brazilian miscues his effort over after finding space in the box.

Two solid sides are cancelling each other out. Apart from the slip that let in Gustavo, the midfielders have stayed close to the backline for the visitors and Wolfsburg are not playing quickly enough to move PSV out of position. Runs from Trasch and Rodriguez could be key.

CHANCE! The danger looks to have gone after Zoet makes a comfortable stop from a Caligiuri strike, but Wolfsburg win the ball back quickly to put the pressure on. Draxler plays an inch-perfect pass to release Dost, who gets the shot all wrong as he curls well wide while looking for the far post.

CHANCE! PSV should be in front. Brenet produces a wonderful cross to offer a free header to Maher, but the attacker is unable to find the target as Wolfsburg breathe a sigh of relief. PSV wanted a penalty earlier when the ball struck Naldo on the upper arm. It certainly was not intentional as the defender jumped to challenge for a header without knowing too much about the ball hitting him.

YELLOW CARD! Guarded is too quick for Naldo, who argues his case but picks up a booking after tripping the attacking midfielder.

Worrying signs for the hosts when Dante goes down in pain after dealing with another cross from PSV. He's suffered a cut just above the eye, but he should be able to clean it up during the interval.

HALF TIME: WOLFSBURG 0-0 PSV EINDHOVEN

In truth, it has not been the best first half in this Group B clash, but PSV deserve plenty of credit. They are defending stubbornly and executing Cocu's gameplay perfectly so far. Wolfsburg are below their best and are lacking that extra bit of pace in the final third of the pitch. It was PSV who came closest when Maher somehow managed to head wide from a great position.

UPDATE: As it stands, CSKA are heading to the top of Group B. That is because Seydou Doumbia has given them a 1-0 half-time lead over Manchester United.

Is Andre Schurrle the man to make the difference tonight? He hasn't always found it easy since returning to Germany after Jose Mourinho's decision to sell him, but his pace and movement off the ball would certainly help Wolfsburg, who have lacked options in the final third of the pitch. He may be the man to bring the best out of the likes of Draxler and Dost.

Wolfsburg's midfielder Andre Shuerrle runs with the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match VfL Wolfsburg vs 1899 Hoffenheim in Wolfsburg, central Germany, on February 7, 2015© Getty Images


RESTART! Dante is bandaged up but he heads off again before the start of the second half to put some ice on it. Wolfsburg will hope they do not need to use a substitution on the centre-back. PSV get the game back underway. No changes yet.

GOAL! WOLFSBURG 1-0 PSV (DOST)

What a start to the second half! After such a good first half, it really is dreadful defending from PSV. A cross to the back post is headed back by Benaglio. No one reacts quick enough to charge down Guilavogui in the box and his effort forces Zoet into a save. The rebound falls to Dost, who converts from close range to give Wolfsburg the lead.

How will PSV respond? They've been focused on being solid in midfield and at the back, but the visitors will be forced to take a few more risks, which will suit the likes of Caligiuri and Draxler on the break. There's a stoppage in play when Dost takes a blow to the nose. He'll be fine to continue.

Wolfsburg are looking much sharper. Guardado is punished for not tracking back when Caligiuri manages to find Trasch, whose cross proves to be difficult for Dost as the Dutch striker heads over the crossbar while stretching back.

Naldo has been very good tonight. Despite Maher's attempt to go past the defender with a nutmeg, Naldo holds his ground well and Benaglio comes off his line to collect the ball.

Good goalkeeping on show once again as Benaglio reacts to prevent a corner after Propper's strike had taken a big deflection off Dante. The pace of the game is picking up now.

GOAL! WOLFSBURG 2-0 PSV (KRUSE)

You simply cannot lose focus in this fashion in a Champions League match. Draxler is given far too much space to come forward with the ball before testing Zoet with a strike from the edge of the box. Bengalio chases down the loose ball and has time to look up before crossing to Kruse, who doubles the lead with a superb glancing header. Wolfsburg in complete control now.

PSV are all over the place at the moment as they lose the ball in a dangerous position. Draxler picks out Caligiuri, who cuts inside to send a curling effort over the crossbar. Never threatening Zoet on that occasion.

PSV will surely change something soon. They need to produce something special to get back in this game and they are no longer carrying any threat in attack, with De Jong barely having a kick so far as Narsingh drifts offside to frustrate his captain in the box.

SUB! Good football on show as Draxler keeps possession for a long spell, with PSV seemingly concerned about coming too close to the playmaker, who twists and turns into space. The ball is eventually offloaded to Kruse, whose clever through ball is just too strong for Caligiuri on the left side of the box.

PSV finally create something of note in the second half as Hendrix plays in Guardado, but his effort with the outside of the boot sails over the crossbar with Benaglio comfortable.

UPDATE: United are back on level terms in Moscow. Anthony Martial's header makes it 1-1 against CSKA.

Draxler recovers from a poor touch to face up to two defenders in the box. Neither PSV player wants to make a challenge, but they stay strong when Draxler's attempt to create a yard for the shot ends in disappointment.

SUBS! Both sides make their first change of the night. Caligiuri comes off to be replaced by Vieirinha, while PSV bring on striker Jurgen Locadia for Hendrix in a reshuffle from Cocu.

SUB! Another change arrives as left-back Poulsen hobbles off to be replaced by Jordy de Wijs.

This has been a very good second-half display. The likes of Draxler and Kruse are ensuring they are involved more often by dropping into deeper positions, while Gustavo and Guilavogui have moved the ball much quicker in midfield. PSV enjoying a better spell now as they begin to see more of the ball, but chances are still proving to be difficult to come by.

Narsingh has barely been involved but he creates a yard to deliver a cross to De Jong, who gets between the two centre-backs to send a header straight at Benaglio. The PSV skipper should have done better.

Locadia makes a good run to collect a through ball, but his touch in the box is poor and De Jong is punished for handling the loose ball. Wolfsburg then make their second change as Schurrle replaces Draxler.

SUB! It hasn't been a great night for De Jong on his return from injury. He makes way for Gaston Pereiro.

It's starting to get quite scrappy in the closing stages of the game. Wolfsburg won't mind too much with such a comfortable lead in the bank, but PSV need to find a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch. Benaglio shows good awareness to charge off the line when Locadia threatened to meet a through ball in the box.

CHANCE! It really should be 3-0. Vieirinha does very well to race clear to reach a long ball before delivering an inviting cross to the back post, but Kruse can only fire over on the stretch.

SUB! Maximilian Arnold comes off the bench to replace Guilavogui for the final few minutes.

Wolfsburg are managing the game very well late on. PSV are seeing more of the ball, but the hosts have dropped deeper to limit the space on offer. It looks like a comfortable win is on the way.

PENALTY! Late drama in the game. Benaglio has been so good tonight, but he spills a cross and responds by charging out with his foot high to bring down Locadia as the substitute looked to fire home the rebound. It's a booking for the goalkeeper and he'll now face the penalty.

SAVE! What a response. Locadia fires the penalty to Benaglio's right, but the Wolfsburg goalkeeper guesses correctly to make a superb save in the first of three added minutes.

A disappointing night continues for PSV as Guardado curls a free kick well wide of the target from 25 yards.

FULL TIME: WOLFSBURG 2-0 PSV EINDHOVEN

Wolfsburg move to the top of Group B as goals from Bas Dost and Max Kruse hand them all three points. PSV's qualification hopes are dealt a blow, but they will be confident of bouncing back with home games against Wolfsburg and CSKA to come.

That's all from our live text coverage tonight. Make sure you keep an eye out for all of the reaction from tonight's Champions League games.

ID:253483: cacheID:253483:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:30997:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wolfsburg's head coach Dieter Hecking wathes his team warm up prior to the German first division Bundesliga football match VfL Wolfsburg vs Hertha BSC Berlin in Wolfsburg, central Germany on September 19, 2015
Read Next:
Hecking: 'Nothing decided in group yet'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QBayern651016
QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QMan City660018
QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
3Shakhtar63039
4Antwerp61053


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!