bidding war coming for Edin Džeko
By: j |
1 Comment
With rumours swirling of Edin Džeko possibly heading to Manchester City, AC Milan or Chelsea, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international stated in a radio interview:
“Talks on a new contract with Wolfsburg are currently underway. If I get what I have asked for I will most likely stay there for another year.”
That aside, with Manchester City sniffing around, the asking price of £9m could make a sizable jump to the point that it would be impossible for Wolfsburg to turn down. With Man City’s attempt to sign Carlos Tevez suffering some growing pains, it is very possible the Wolfsburg could see a bidding war erupt for the Sarajevo native.
After considerable thought this will serve as my final post. If you care to apply for this blog please contact Daryl with The Offside (click here) after reviewing the guidelines at www.theoffside.com/bloggers.
Category: Wolfsburg Team News
Edin Džeko honoured as best in the Bundesliga
By: j | 3 Comments
As in the old adage “to the victor, goes the spoils”, Wolfsburg is continuing to the reap rewards after winning the Bundesliga title.
Edin Džeko was named Germany’s footballer of the year in the professionals poll, as reported by Football media giant Kicker with teammate Grafite finishing second.
The twenty-three year old Sarajevo native joined Wolfsburg from Czech side FK Teplice and has quickly emerged as a deadly scorer, notching twenty-six goals during the recent campaign.
Felix Magath, now of Schalke, was honoured as top coach.
Now of-course the big question for all Wolfsburg supporters, can they keep the young Bosnian sharpshooter?
Category: Wolfsburg Team NewsArmin Veh-era begins
By: j | Add Comments
Wolfsburg wasted no time in replacing Felix Magath as the club announced that Armin Veh, most recently of VfB Stuttgart, will lead the charge to defend their Bundesliga crown. The experienced coach lead Stuttgart to the title in 2007 but in an odd twist-of-fate, was let go in November 2008 after being dismantled by Wolsburg.
Inheriting the Bundesliga Champions, the new leader said:
“I’m delighted to be taking over this team, which just two days ago became German champions. It’s a wonderful and appealing, if at the same time difficult, task - but I know how to deal with that! I believe that this team has a lot of potential. It’s a young side that will have a lot of success in the future too.”
Category: Wolfsburg Team NewsThe crowning of a new champion!
By: j | 2 Comments
Wolfsburg etched its name in history with its first Bundesliga title in style with a resounding 5-1 thumping of Werder Bremen in front of a capacity crowd at Volkswagen Arena.
If there was any doubt of Wolfsburg’s focus, that ended within minutes of the opening whistle. Die Wölfe are rich with hero’s this year and none better than Zvjezdan Misimović to start the scoring only six minutes in as he poached on a rebound from Makoto Hasebe’s and sent the ball in from nine metres. Nine minutes later the margin was doubled as Christian Gentner outworked the opposition to the left and after creating space near the byline he crossed to Grafite to the near post, who turned the ball in deftly. Still pressing Wolfsburg’s day was near complete at the twenty-fifth minute as Grafite’s cross from the right was turned in by Bremen’s Sebastian Prödl for an own-goal making it 3-0. Six minutes later Diego gave Bremen hope, scoring from the right via a brilliant provision by Claudio Pizzaro but that was as close as it would get as Wolfsburg added second-half goals by Grafite and Edin Džeko. Four minutes before the hour Zvjezdan Misimović’s long diagonal free-kick from the right was sent in by Grafite and to cap the day off perfectly the Bosnia and Herzegovina international team chipped a perfect cross that his compatriot volleyed in to bring the match to the final 5-1 mark.
The celebration has only started but the impact of Wolfsburg winning the Bundesliga title is profound. While their are undoubtedly many changes to the club coming, starting first with Felix Magath’s departure to Schalke, it is a time for rejoicing for all Wolfsburg fans and for that matter, all Bundesliga supporters for a glorious campaign.
Category: Wolfsburg Team Newsthe final scene plays out
By: j | 3 Comments
As the curtain falls on the Bundesliga campaign, Wolfsburg sits on the cusp of a historic first title. While the clubs coach Felix Magath has drawn much criticism for his exodus to Schalke, there is absolutely no debate on his masterful work. With one final hurdle to cross, that being Werder Bremen’s visits Volkswagen Arena on Saturday afternoon, Wolfsburg can etch its name with the few who have graced to top of the Bundesliga, with a single point.
For Bremen it is the most peculiar of matches. A brilliant side that has fallen unceremoniously in the depths of the middle table, threatening the positions of long-term men Thomas Schaaf and Klaus Allofs. Heading into the final week, after the painful added-time loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in Istanbul, Bremen has a chance to deal the ultimate hand of the “spoiler” prior to next weeks DFB Pokal final against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Whether they are capable of a concerted effort that could deal Wolfsburg its first loss of the year at home remains to be seen but they are without a doubt capable. The showdown waits as Bremen playmaker Diego, in his Bundesliga swansong before heading to Juventus, will hold the cards to the visitors success.
The home side with its randy bunch of goalscoring phenoms, Edin Džeko, Grafite and Zvjezdan Misimović, must go beyond showing a morsel of ice-water in their veins but instead a champions cunning ability to close out the competition. It is the most complex of all skills, the killer instinct to finish the competition off and rise to the top. Many are great competitors but one only can be called champion.
And so this campaign ends with a brilliant finish, the rare chance to see a side climb to the top of the league with only one step remaining. In its way, a storied side, nay institution, waits to steal away their dreams only to let Bayern or Stuttgart to pull off the ultimate of last-minute jobs. Regardless of the outcome it is the grandest of days to be a fan as the final scene plays out.
Category: Wolfsburg Team Newsone match to go for Wolfsburg
By: j | 3 Comments
Wolfsburg moved closer to its historic first Bundesliga title with a 5-0 defeat of Hannover in the Niedersachsenderby that was never in doubt. Led by Edin Džeko three goals, Wolfsburg stands atop the Bundesliga, ahead of both Bayern and Stuttgart by two points with a next weeks crucial match against Werder Bremen being the decider.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international, Edin Džeko, who started his professional career in his native Sarajevo for Željezničar opened the scoring fourteen minutes in as he controlled Makoto Hasebe’s provision before driving the ball past Robert Enke from just outside the box. Three minutes past the half hour Marcel Schäfer sent a low cross into the box that the young Bosnian redirected to Grafite to close out to the back of the net. Only three minutes later, from nearly the same spot Christian Gentner crossed to Grafite, who after out-dueling Mario Eggimann, made it 3-0 from close range. After the break Zvjezdan Misimović set up his countryman Džeko who escaped Sergio Pinto as he escaped his mark before heading the ball in. With eleven minutes remaining, Wolfsburg took a 5-0 lead as Makoto Hasebe’s cross from the lead was nodded in by Edin Džeko for his third of the day.
On Saturday Wolfsburg faces Werder Bremen to seal the title in the final match day of the Bundesliga campaign.
As we approach the final weekend, I would like to thank everyone who joined me during this year. It has been a joy and a distinct honour to provide insight into VfL Wolfsburg as well as opening up this blog at The Offside. However at this stage I may not to be returning for next year and just wanted to make sure I have the opportunity to thank all readers before the final match.
Over the past year I have authored sixteen blogs on the site; Genoa, FC Porto, Fenerbahçe, Leeds, Manchester City, Monterrey, Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain, PSV, Rangers, Russia, VfL Wolfsburg as well as World Cup blogs on Austria, Romania, Russia and Wales. Many have asked me how I could handle such a daunting task and in-truth it was easy given the great stories of these magnificent clubs and their supporters, all wrapped in this beautiful game.
Spending much of my adult life in this extraordinary sport I have had the pleasure to travel far and wide and with it, been blessed with the true lesson of the beautiful game. Locked within this simple round ball, with its curious bounces, twists and turns is a magic that breaks down boundaries and makes us a better people. Possibly it these graying temples that implores me to say this but for each of you who pass by this article, I thank you for stopping-by and pray for your happiness and the many blessings that this sport provides.
If you care to reach me via email please click here with the subject title “re Wolfsburg blogger” and the message will be forwarded in due course.
Category: Wolfsburg Team NewsDerby time against Hannover 96
By: j | Add Comments
Whilst some leagues are merely conjuring up an “exciting race” to try and keep viewers interested, the final two weeks of Bundesliga campaign is a nip and tuck affair, with Wolfsburg and Bayern München only separated by a narrow goal differential for the top spot and ripe with exciting plot twists.
Die Wölfe are on the verge of their rewarding the citizenry of Wolfsburg their first championship. While the club certainly lacks the history the teems through the Bundesliga the clubs its growth and support through responsible domestic ownership is deserves notation in a sport grappling with its financial future.
Looking beyond Wolfsburg’s question for championship brings the interesting story of their coach Felix Magath. After leading Bayern München to the double two years in succession he was unceremoniously dumped before being scooped up by Volkswagen to lead Wolfsburg. Setting a long-term goal, the fifty-five year old coach as taken the fast track and although keying a fifth place finish this year, his side is within two matches of the crown. Of course the delicious twist of the knife is should Wolfsburg be successful in their first title, it will be through Bayern’s sorrow. However any story of Wolfsburg coach is far from over because before the parade could form his unpopularity in the Niedersachsen has waned he has committed to lead Schalke 04 starting this July.
Casting aside commentary of possible suitors for Edin Džeko, Zvjezdan Misimović, Grafite and Peter Pekarík that has many wondering what Wolfsburg will look like next year, Bayern is laying low in the reeds and ready to pounce with the slightest chance. If this delectable story isn’t exciting enough Bayern has cast aside the bounty of dreadful structural changes that Jürgen Klinsmann implemented during his reign as head coach and with long-time Borussia Mönchengladbach man Jupp Heynckes in-charge they have yet to drop a point over the last three weeks. Should Bayern overtake Wolfsburg in the final two matches, the former striker extraordinaire will be owed a much of the credit.
As Wolfsburg heads into Saturdays Niedersachsenderby against Hannover 96 it has the obvious test of leaving with three points but equally littering Robert Enke’s net and building upon their two goal differential. With this being Dieter Hecking’s side final match of the campaign at the Niedersachsenstadion they will put up a Herculian fight. Wolfsburg is fully fit with the only absence being Josué who is in the sin-bin.
Category: Wolfsburg Team NewsWolfsburg defeat Dortmund 3-0
By: j | Add Comments
After the weekends disappointing loss to Stuttgart, Wolfsburg responded with a 3-0 defeat of Dortmund maintaining its unbeaten streak in the friendly confines of Volkswagen Arena. The victory, coupled with Bayern’s successful day against Leverkusen, keeps die Wölfe on top of the Bundesliga table via goal differential.
After the upstart Dortmund side threatened Wolfsburg took the lead at the fifteenth minute in as Grafite and Josué played a smooth one-two with the latter sending through Edin Džeko who then sent the ball past Dortmund ‘keeper Roman Weidenfeller from twelve metres. Following the goal Dortmund was blemish free in defending for the balance of the half and certainly have reason to question referee Lutz Wagner’s decision as he seemed to look the other way in a number of calls including a possibly penalty call on Alexander Madlung midway of the half. However that aside Wolfsburg pushed the pedal down two minutes after the break as a Edin Džeko out dueled Neven Subotić on the left before supplying Grafite the ball for a quick finish at the edge of the area. With sixteen minutes remaining veteran Sebastian Schindzielorz made his first Bundesliga appearance in three years entering for Zvjezdan Misimović as Wolfsburg looked to tighten down the match. Nine minute later Wolfsburg added its third goal as Grafite worked down the left channel past Neven Subotić and a out-of-position Florian Kringe before sending the cross from the six-yard box that took an opportunistic bounce off Felipe Santana and straight to Edin Džeko to finish for his second of the day.
Wolfsburg returns to play on Saturday against Hannover. With the Bundesliga crown in its sights, there is no room for error and Wolfsburg must stay focused with each step.
Category: Wolfsburg Team NewsFelix Magath brings on Stuttgart 4-1 slaughter
By: j | 3 Comments
Within the coaching fraternity, Felix Magath’s decision this week to announce he is leaving the club at season’s end will be remembered for one of the most unprofessional decisions ever. While Mr. Magath is a superb coach, his decision to do so directly impacted on his sides mindset resulting in today’s 4-1 blowout loss against Stuttgart.
The storyline of the day was shared with a team, that being Markus Babbel’s Stuttgart, seizing the opportunity and playing as a collective unit against a rag-tag group knowing full-well its coach has defected. While Mr. Magath as attempted to his explain his rationale for leaving for Schalke, albeit in a highly convoluted manner, it nonetheless devastated the underpinnings of the players.
Although the match had all the makings of an “incredible battle” it was in-truth a slaughter too painful to watch and the scoreline could have resembled an friendly in July against a lower league side. Today Wolfsburg was not a first place side but merely a mid-table unit, head hung low and dissected by a club following a superb young leader in Markus Babbel. Behind Mr. Babbel, the home side filleted Wolfsburg for two goals by Mario Gómez in the first twenty minutes and despite Edin Džeko’s mark nine minutes before the break Stuttgart was in clear control. After the break Super Mario continued on with two more strikes and while Felix Magath’s ranted of his sides poor performance, he brought in on to himself.
Now the test for Wolfsburg is to unite as a team as they head down the final three matches. This isn’t such as easy examination as it will require closed-door meetings of players-only, to address the issue and find a way for internal leadership. Today’s “vote” on the pitch firmly cast that his leadership role has been rescinded and I suspect the good people of Wolfsburg will greet him with the respect he deserves on Tuesday Dortmund visits Volkswagen Arena.
Category: Wolfsburg Team NewsWolfsburg v Stuttgart match preview
By: j | Add Comments
With a three-point lead in the Bundesliga championship race, Wolfsburg travels to Stuttgart to face at the Neckarstadion Saturday afternoon.
Although the match has all the makings of incredible battle between the two hottest sides in Germany with the championship on the line, the real story is Felix Magath’s announcement this week that he is defecting to Schalke 04 at the end of the campaign. While the match will ultimately be decided on the pitch, Stuttgart will have an enormous advantage with more focused week of preparation. It goes without saying that Felix Magath is a brilliant coach but the timing of this announcement was abysmal and should have been handled with a far more professional approach. While his commentary and rationale of leaving Wolfsburg for Schalke’s for financial reasons is perplexing given Volkswagon’s commitment to the club and the region, this has all the makings of one of the biggest errors in coaching in decades. With Bayern only three points behind, a slip-up could cost Wolfsburg the championship and ultimately the let up will rest partially on the timing of the announcement.
Regarding injuries, all systems are go for die Wölfe as they are fully fit. The high scoring trio of Edin Džeko, Zvjezdan Misimović and Grafite will face a highly motivated a cohesive defending unit and need to be at the best.
Category: Wolfsburg Team News
Home 
