Wolfsburg beat Holstein Kiel to stay in Bundesliga

AFP, BERLIN: Robin Knoche crushed Holstein Kiel’s dreams of promotion on Monday, as his header fired Wolfsburg to a 1-0 win in the second leg of the relegation play-off, securing Bundesliga survival.

Knoche’s header 15 minutes from time ended a spirited resistance from underdogs Kiel, and saw Wolfsburg escape relegation in the play-off for a second successive season. Champions League quarter-finalists just two years ago, Wolfsburg’s experience saw them through as they ground out a 4-1 aggregate win over minnows Kiel.

“Kiel made it very difficult for us,” Wolfsburg coach Bruno Labbadia told Eurosport. “I feel empty now, but also content. This was the hardest job I have ever had in football.” Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, the odds were stacked against Kiel, who only earned promotion to the second tier at the end of last season.

That did not stop the home fans from dreaming, and they created an electric atmosphere in the 10,000 capacity Holstein-Stadion.

Their hopes were dealt a cruel blow on 18 minutes, when Yunus Malli found the net for Wolfsburg. The visitors’ celebrations were cut short, though, as Divock Origi was ruled offside by VAR, and the goal was disallowed.

 

Wolfsburg beat Holstein Kiel to stay in Bundesliga

AFP, BERLIN: Robin Knoche crushed Holstein Kiels dreams of promotion on Monday, as his header fired Wolfsburg to a 1-0 win in the second leg of the relegation play-off, securing Bundesliga survival. Knoches header 15 minutes from time ended a spirited resistance from underdogs Kiel, and saw Wolfsburg escape relegation in the play-off for a second successive season. Champions League quarter-finalists just two years ago, Wolfsburgs experience saw them through as they ground out a 4-1 aggregate win over minnows Kiel. Kiel made it very difficult for us, Wolfsburg coach Bruno Labbadia told Eurosport. I feel empty now, but also content. This was the hardest job I have ever had in football. Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, the odds were stacked against Kiel, who only earned promotion to the second tier at the end of last season. That did not stop the home fans from dreaming, and they created an electric atmosphere in the 10,000 capacity Holstein-Stadion. Their hopes were dealt a cruel blow on 18 minutes, when Yunus Malli found the net for Wolfsburg. The visitors celebrations were cut short, though, as Divock Origi was ruled offside by VAR, and the goal was disallowed.