Majer brace muscles Wolfsburg to draw with Hoffenheim

The visitors led on two separate occasions, but Wolfsburg’s Croatian midfielder restored parity twice to salvage a point in a 2-2 stalemate. Hoffenheim remain three points clear of Wolsburg in the Bundesliga table.

After a brief delay to kick-off due to continued DfB-related protests, the action got underway with the visitors in the ascendency. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side carved the Wolfsburg defence open, as Umut Tohumcu fed Maximilian Beier who cut inside Bornauw and fired through Casteels’ legs. Die Wolfe almost restored parity in the 20th minute after some fine work from Kevin Paredes. The American youngster fed Wind, but the Dane’s effort smashed off the post.

While further opportunities fell to Beier and Kramaric, it was Baumann who was the busier of the goalkeepers in the half. Once again, the German shot-stopper repelled the best attempts of Jonas Wind. Hoffenheim enjoyed a handful of chances before the interval too – notably Stach’s long range drive and a Weghorst header, both sailed over the bar.

Kovac made one alteration at the interval, introducing Svanberg in place of Cerny. Things appeared to go from bad to worse when Maehle was withdrawn through injury. However, Wolfsburg dragged level at 1-1 just before the hour mark. New winter signing Kevin Behrens teeing up Lovro Majer who curled home past Baumann for his first Bundesliga goal.

Hoffenheim restored their lead instantly as Bebou pounced on Casteels wayward pass. The Togolese international fed Promel who squeezed the ball beyond Arnold on the line. Wolfsburg responded inside 3 minutes to level at 2-2 apiece. Stanley Nsoki’s shove on Majer resulting in a penalty, which the Croatian fired into the top right corner. Perhaps a share of the spoils was the fairest result in a match where both sides gave it their all.

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