Wolfsburg has won Germany's premier knockout title, defeating Borussia Dortmund in front of a huge crowd in Berlin on Saturday. Despite the pre-game hype, BVB were not able to give their departing coach a final victory.
Borussia Dortmund 1-3 Wolfsburg
5' Aubameyang - 22' Luis Gustavo, 33' de Bruyne, 38' Dost
On what was meant to be a perfect farewell night for their departing coach Jürgen Klopp, Borussia Dortmund put in a disappointing performance at a sold out Berlin Olympic stadium on Saturday night.
But it all started so promisingly for the team from western Germany's Ruhr region. After just five minutes Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slotted home the first goal of the game for BVB, after a looped cross from Shinji Kagawa.
With powerful support from their fans, Dortmund proceeded to dominate the early stages and seemed to be back to their dominant style of old. But the game changed in the 21st minute, when Wolfsburg were awarded a free kick 25 meters from goal.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the first goal of the game
Naldo's strong free kick was only bunted away by BVB's keeper, before Luis Gustavo smashed the ball home.
Just over 10 minutes later, Wolfsburg's second goal caught Borussia Dortmund even more unawares. A string of passes from Wolfsburg, saw Daniel Caligiuri set up Kevin de Bruyne who smashed home from 18 meters out. The shot, which landed right in the corner of Langerak's net even went through Hummels legs.
And Dortmund's defense was caught napping again before the half-time break, after Bas Dost headed in a perfect cross from Ivan Perisic.
Missed chances
After what can only have been a rousing half-time talk, Klopp's team started strongly in the second half. Kagawa had an excellent close-range chance to peg one back for his team, but his shot just shaved the outside of the post.
After seven years at BVB, Jürgen Klopp has now finally finished at Dortmund
And before long, it was the Dortmund of old. Missed chances, predictable play and - most importantly - poor defending, which let Wolfsburg back into the game again and again.
Dortmund were lucky to be not trailing 4-1 in the 65th minute, when a shot from Caligiuri was missed by Langerak but Erik Durm's heel blocked the goal-bound shot.
A late save from Wolfsburg's keeper Diego Benaglio from an Aubameyang free-kick ensured that the Bundesliga runners-up, Wolfsburg, comfortably cruised to victory. It was the first German Cup title win ever in Wolfsburg's club history.
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