VfL Wolfsburg head coach Tobias Strobl is hoping for a period of relaxation during the ongoing international break. The coach expressed this wish against the backdrop of publicly known tensions within the club.
The team enters the interruption with mixed results. After five matchdays, Wolfsburg sits in 5th place in the 2. Bundesliga with 8 points. The most recent defeat was a 1-0 loss away to FC St. Pauli last Saturday, a result that shapes the current LDWWD form line. The next challenge awaits on Friday, September 18th, with a home game against 16th-placed SV Darmstadt 98.
Public Tensions
Strobl had previously publicly distanced himself from statements made by the sporting director. This reaction followed the coach's criticism of decisions by the club's leadership, which sparked media discussion. The 37-year-old now emphasised the need to calm down and focus completely on the sporting work. The break offers a chance to close ranks internally and work concentratedly on the next steps.
Sportingly, the yield from the first five season games shows ups and downs. With 10 goals scored and 7 conceded, the team has a positive goal difference of +3. Top scorer so far is Fabian Reese with three goals. The spectacular 4-4 draw against Energie Cottbus and the 5-2 away win in Karlsruhe contrast with the narrow defeat in Hamburg.
The coming days will now be used for regeneration and detailed work. Strobl and his team are intensively analysing the first weeks to address weaknesses. Defensive work following the last matchday is particularly on the agenda. Meanwhile, some players are using the time for international duty, while the majority of the squad remains in Wolfsburg. The current personnel situation can be viewed in the squad section.
Looking at the table, VfL has the promotion places firmly in sight but also trails leaders Hertha BSC by seven points. The match against Darmstadt for the restart is therefore of great importance for keeping pace with the top positions. A win could temporarily lift VfL into a direct promotion spot, depending on competitors' results. The exact table situation can be tracked in the live standings.
Preparation for the important home game begins on Monday with the first training session after the short break. Strobl will then have his full team available again and make tactical fine-tuning. The fixture on September 18th at their own stadium marks the start of a key autumn phase of the season.
Read the full report at WAZ-ONLINE.de
