Bundesliga Player Ratings | Wolfsburg Tamed by Iron of Union Berlin | OneFootball

Union Berlin moved one step closer to Bundesliga safety with a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Wolfsburg thanks to a Benedict Hollerbach volley.

Story of the match

With results going in favour of Union Berlin this weekend, Wolfsburg travelled to the capital for an unexpected mid-table clash.

Having picked up seven points from the last three games, Union had moved ten points clear of Bundesliga relegation into 13th.

In contrast, Wolfsburg were already dreaming of their summer holidays.

Winless in three and neither threatening relegation or pushing for European qualification, Wolfsburg sat in 12th ahead.

The first half went with form as Union flew out of the traps.

In the 2nd minute, Leopold Querfeld went close as his header struck the post and somehow Khedira struck the rebound over the bar from four yards.

Two minutes later, Wimmer’s shot from 18 yards fell narrowly wide of Rönnow’s left post.

It proved to be a rare foray into the Union box for the visitors.

Union remained on top for the opening 40 minutes but couldn’t break the deadlock.

Andrej Ilic missed a gold opportunity from six yards but his air-kick failed to connect with the ball.

Janik Haberer also drew a diving save from Kamil Grabara and Hollerbach hit a fierce effort over the bar from 12 yards.

Wolfsburg were holding on but grew into the game.

With five minutes remaining of the first half, the visitors finally tested Rönnow but Wimmer hit his chance straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Wolfsburg continued the second half as they ended the first.

In the 50th minute, Kaminski capitalised on some lackadaisical Union defending but Rönnow tipped his strike wide.

However, Union took the lead against the run of play.

In the 65th minute, Hollerbach volleyed home a Querfeld flick-on that left Grabara flailing.

Wolfsburg went close to equalising in the 75th minute as Fischer saw his shot from 20 yards deflected narrowly wide.

The visitors continued to push for an equaliser and former Union hero, Kevin Behrens went closest.

In the final minute of normal time, Behrens somehow lifted the ball over the bar from two yards.

It was an extraordinary miss and proved to be the final action of note as Union Berlin held on for a vital three points that almost guarantees their Bundesliga survival.

Union Berlin Player Ratings

Frederik Rönnow (GK) (8), Danilho Doekhi (8), Leopold Querfeld (9), Diogo Leite (8), Christopher Trimmel (8), Andras Schafer (8), Rani Khedira (8), Janik Haberer (8), Josip Juranovic (8), Benedict Hollerbach (9), Andrej Ilic (6)

Other: Marin Ljubičić (6), Jerome Roussillon (6), Tim Skarke (6), Lucas Tousart (6)

Wolfsburg Player Ratings

Kamil Grabara (GK) (7), Kilian Fischer (6), Aster Jan Vranckx (6), M-E Amoura (6), Jakub Kaminski (7), Joakim Maehle (6), Jonas Wind (6), Maximilian Arnold (6), Yannick Gerhardt (6), David Odogu (6), Patrick Wimmer (6)

Other: Tiago Barreiros de Melo Tomas (6), Lukas Nmecha (6), Kevin Behrens (6)

Player of the Match: Leopold Querfeld

The Austrian centre-back was formidable in defence and sparking in attack today.At 21-years old, Querfeld has made only a couple of full international appearances but should expect many more based on today’s performance.

Querfeld won five aerial battles, made five vital clearances, and provided the key assist for Hollerbach.The young Union forward will deservedly get the plaudits for his goalscoring exploits, but Querfeld provided the foundation and the finishing touch to a resolute and disciplined Union performance.

GGFN | Oscar O’Mara