VfL Wolfsburg secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Dutch side SC Telstar on July 31 2026 in the final friendly of the pre‑season. Coach Tobias Strobl praised his squad’s performance and confirmed the team is ready for the upcoming 2. Bundesliga campaign.
What happened in the test?
Robert Glatzel opened the scoring in the 9th minute, followed by Alessio Besio who struck in the 12th minute and added a second in the 35th. The visitors reduced the deficit only in the 73rd minute through Soufiane Hetli, but the final score stayed 3:1 in Wolfsburg’s favour. The match took place on the training ground shadowed by the Volkswagen Arena, where the new attacking signings displayed their quality.
Why does the result matter?
The win not only boosts confidence but also reveals the form of the new forwards. Glatzel and Besio, both summer signings, immediately showed their goal‑scoring instincts. Strobl also noted that the side remains tactically flexible despite injuries to key players such as Rogerio and Kevin Paredes. The current 2025 record – 17th in the Bundesliga with 21 points, 5 wins, 6 draws and 18 losses – highlights the improvement needed.
What does this mean for the upcoming season?
The first official match is set for August 8 against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, marking the start of Wolfsburg’s promotion push. The team will aim to translate the attacking spark from the friendly into league play while tightening a defence that conceded 65 goals last season. The next home fixture against Holstein Kiel on November 21 2026 will provide another benchmark for the new system.
How is the current squad situation?
Several important players are sidelined, including Rogerio, Kevin Paredes, Jonas Older Wind, Mohamed Amoura, J. Lindstrøm and K. Paredes, testing the depth of the roster. Nevertheless, the coaching staff has already integrated alternatives in training to cover the gaps. The coming weeks will reveal whether the team can stay competitive despite these absences.
Looking back at the 2025 season, Wolfsburg scored 39 goals while conceding 65, ending with a -26 goal difference and sitting 55 points behind league leaders Bayern München. These figures stress the urgency to improve both attack and defence to secure promotion.
