Wolfsburg Defense Battle Lille’s Johnathan David in tough draw to start Champions League Campaign

Wolfsburg has been the best team in the Bundesliga this season. They are off to their best ever start in club history with four consecutive victories; they have only conceded one goal during the opening four games was a penalty. They have not conceded once from open play. Wolfsburg went on the road as they kicked off the Champions League campaign. As they arrived in France on a mission to collect points. Their opposition would be the reigning French champions; despite not having a great start to the season, Lille was determined to make a statement in European football. It turned out to be a very competitive matchup between a pair of equally matched teams. A very aggressive and physical match of football, it was an actual battle throughout the 90 minutes. Lille pushed the tempo as they got on the counter-attack frequently, but Germany’s best defense was able to deal with them for the most part. It was very difficult to handle Jonathan David. The only one really up for the job was Maxine LaCroix; when they have matched up, the Wolfsburg Center back always had the advantage, but when the Canadian Striker went into other areas, he had more success. It was a goalless first half in the second half; there was a little bit more drama. Jonathan David scored but was called outside, so the goal was taken away. Then Midway through the second half, John Brooks was sent off with a second Yellow Card. It was a game of intensity between two teams that were playing completely differently; Wolfsburg defense was handling themselves against a very potent attack Konan Casteels was unbelievable, making some important saves in crucial moments there was nothing to separate the teams from each other in what turned out to be a goalless draw, not the worst thing in the world both teams take a point after an incredibly physical 90 minutes.

Mark Van Bommel, as usual, operated his team out of the 4–2–3–1 formation ahead of this game. In goal would be Conan Castillo. At left-back would be Kevin mbabu; beside him would be the center-back partnership of Maxine Lacroix and Jonna Brooks; at right back would it be Jerome Roussillon. The defensive Midfield would be made up of Max Arnold and Guilavogui. In central Midfield, Max Philip to his left would be riddle Baku, then on the right would be Renato Steffen. Upfront as Wolfsburg Central Striker would be wout Weghorst.

After preparations and predictions of the match got underway in France as the Champions League kicked off. The game started rather slowly with not a lot of changes occurring; in fact, the game’s first chance didn’t happen until the 13th minute. Yilmaz tried to test Casteels with a strike from outside the, but the Belgian goalkeeper was able to handle it. Shortly after Botman connected on a header from close range but drifted wide, things heat it up even more at the half-hour mark. Jonathan David also tried his luck from outside the box only to see his strike Coast over. Wolfsburg attack was nonexistent as the priority was defending the attack from the French. Which they were doing at a very exceptional rate as well as they were coming forward, they didn’t have any real success or threat on the Wolfsburg goal. Right before the end of the first half-angel, Gomes can close from outside the box on a set-piece, but once again didn’t have the accuracy at the end of the first half it was a goalless draw with neither team able to push themselves in front.

It wasn’t the most impressive first-half from Wolfsburg; they defended an exceptionally high level but could not find the space to attack wout Weghorst was able to attack, and they started the game, but after being struck in the head during the first half, he failed to get his momentum back. Marco van Bommel tried various tactical ideas to get the ball moving in a more attacking area, but it was not successful thus far. Still, he was showing his adaptability to do so. The French champions had all the momentum even though they were struggling with the Wolfsburg defense. They had their chances; they weren’t able to do anything with them though as of yet. Jonathan David looked like he’d given the French champions of the lead, but the goal was taken away for offsides. Following that, Burak Yilmaz connected on a header coming from a corner but just meant yet again. A minute later, Angel Gomes came very close with a strike from the side of the box that hit the side netting. Finally, in 59th minutes, Wolfsburg got their first shot on goal. Baku sent a ball through to Max Philip, who tried to strike from outside the box, but his touch was too powerful as his strike went High. Wolfsburg would make a pair of substitutions. Dodi lukebakio and waldschmidt would enter them game. Unfortunately, Wolfsburg would be reduced to 10 men when John Brooks was given a second Yellow Card. A few minutes later, Jonathan David was on the run again, testing the goalkeeper, but Casteels made a great save only to frustrate the Canadian. Wolfsburg would make another couple of substitutions as a Lucas nmecha, and Sebastian Bornauw entered the play. After a missed Chance by Lille Konan, Casteels made another save proving to be important to the Wolfsburg team. Wolfsburg had another chance, but the accuracy just wasn’t there as Jerome Roussillon hooked it. It was an absolute battle, and Bloodbath was one of the most physical games of the Champions League’s games on Tuesday night; extremely physical bodies flying a lot of potential injury situation wasn’t that the teams hated each other they just were so desperate for three points to start their Champions League campaign after the game it didn’t seem like there’s any bad blood between the two teams they were just in the moment battling like gladiators. Late in the game Benjamin Andre and Jose Fonte in stoppage-time were not able to convert, missing the target in the final moment of the six minutes that were given for stoppage time there was a potential penalty call. Still, after a video review of the second penalty decision of the night he was taken out on the edge of the box, the French Champions were given one last free-kick, a cross coming into the box. Still, the Wolfsburg defense was able to deal with it in a tough physical game. Wolfsburg and Lille split the points in a goalless draw to start their Champions League group.