Fabian Reese is experiencing a tough start at VfL Wolfsburg, facing relentless whistling from opposing fans at every away game. The 28-year-old striker joined the relegated Bundesliga side from Hertha BSC for a fee of eight million euros this summer and is currently the team's top scorer with three goals and two assists, while the club sits 4th in the 2. Bundesliga. This week, reports emerged about the persistent jeers that follow Reese even in matches against clubs he has no apparent connection to.
The reasons for the constant whistling against Fabian Reese are not entirely clear. The player himself suspects a kind of scapegoat dynamic within the crowd. His move from Hertha BSC to VfL Wolfsburg was emotionally charged. Reese had previously stated his desire to stay in Berlin and play in the Bundesliga, possessed a long contract, and felt at home at Hertha. The financially strained Hertha then allowed their top earner to leave as part of their rebuild. These circumstances seem to generate resentment among some fans of other clubs, despite Reese already delivering important performances for Wolfsburg. The team has taken eight points from four games with a goal difference of +4.
Fabian Reese gave a very personal statement. "It hurts me a lot, it injures me. I take it home with me," said the attacker. Particularly notable was the reaction of Energie Cottbus coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz after the match against Wolfsburg. The 61-year-old sharply criticized his own fans. "What is this? I find it impossible. It's not proper. Why do our fans have to whistle this player?" Wollitz asked. This public support of an opposing player by a manager is rare. In contrast stands the attitude of Manuel Neuer. The 40-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper recently interpreted whistles from Schalke fans as a compliment and a sign of love.
Sportingly, things are going well for VfL Wolfsburg. With eight points from four games, the club occupies fourth place in the table and is only four points behind leaders Hertha BSC. The recent form of D-W-W-D shows a stable team. All current league and squad data can be found on our standings page. Reese, with his five goal contributions, is a central pillar of the attack. His next outing takes him to FC St. Pauli's Millerntor stadium. There, the striker hopes for a match without the disruptive whistles. The Hamburg side is currently in 15th place.
The away game at FC St. Pauli on September 12, 2026, is the next challenge for VfL Wolfsburg. For Fabian Reese, it is another opportunity to put his performance on the pitch and perhaps end the unwanted attention from opposing fans. The full season schedule can be tracked by fans on our fixtures overview. Wolfsburg needs points in Hamburg to keep pace with the leading group. The team has scored ten goals so far, indicating a good offensive output. Whether Reese will again be the target of whistles in the difficult atmosphere of the Millerntor is not yet clear. His manager and teammates will support him.
