Frankfurt and Wolfsburg share the spoils after injury-time penalty-kick

Wolfsburg were under immense pressure early in the game, but Frankfurt’s dominance didn’t convert to a goal-scoring chance until Mario Götze’s effort in the 12th minute. Wolfsburg’s interim coach Daniel Bauer preferred a very defensive approach, which prevented the hosts from finding space in the final third.

The visitors caught Frankfurt on the break at the midpoint of first-half, but Mohamed Amoura was unable to beat the onrushing Michael Zetterer. His opposite number, Kamil Grabara, also had a quiet time for the rest of the half apart from blocking Rasmus Kristensen and Ritsu Doan’s deliveries from the right wing.

Successive corner-kicks nearly unsettled the ponytailed goalkeeper at the end of the half, but Yannick Gerhardt came to his rescue with a goalline clearance to deny Arthur Theate. Frankfurt’s captain Robin Koch did similarly when Wolfsburg started the second-half with a quick counterattack to send Patrick Wimmer through in goal.

Ten minutes after the restart, the hosts appealed for a penalty-kick when Lovro Majer tussled with Ansgar Knauff. Luckily for the Croatian midfielder, the referee Harm Osmers waved play on.

Wolfsburg continued their improved showing with Zetterer forced to pull a double save from Maximilian Arnold and Amoura near the hour-mark. Dino Toppmöller reverted to his favorable playing system by introducing striker Michy Batshuayi in place of Jean-Mattéo Bahoya.

However, Frankfurt were missing their top-scorer Jonathan Burkardt, which was shown by a listless performance from their attacking players. Their task was even more complicated when Wolfsburg’s full-back combined well for the game’s first goal.

Aaron Zehnter got to the end of Saël Kumbedi’s delivery as Wolfsburg broke the deadlock in the 68th minute. A minute later, Theate denied Amoura from doubling the lead for the visitors.

Frankfurt struggled to properly test Grabara in the last twenty minutes. However, they were presented with a chance in injury-time thanks to VAR when Denis Vavro made a needless foul on Theate out of possession. Batshuayi salvaged a point for Frankfurt by converting the penalty-kick. Frankfurt even had a chance to steal all three points after that, but Doan’s volley slightly missed the target.

Both teams will not play in midweek as they have already been knocked out of the cup in previous rounds. Wolfsburg will host Union Berlin next weekend, while Frankfurt face RB Leipzig away from home.