Fresh from Saturday's 3-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart, die Wölfe headed into the evenings game in fine form as the hunt for a first DFB Pokal enters its final stages. Dieter Hecking's side had already featured against the evenings opponents, SC Freiburg on two occasions this campaign, winning both meaning they were staunch favorites heading into the encounter. Hecking made only one change to the side that defeated die Schwaben, winter signing André Schürrle coming in for Josuha Guilavogui in what was a much shuffled die Wölfe eleven. Christian Träsch started in midfield, whilst Vieirinha moved to right fullback. In the previous round VfL Wolfsburg had overcome a difficult trip to high spending RB Leipzig, 2-0 on the night.
The DFB Pokal has provided SC Freiburg a welcome distraction from their annual relegation battle. Following a tricky Hinründe, Christian Streich's men have picked up form as of late, winning their last two matches including an impressive 2-0 victory over high flying FC Augsburg. The side from Bresigau made the long trip to the north of Germany with a much changed side, to the one that defeated FC Köln last time out; there were no fewer than seven changes to the starting eleven, as survival in the Bundesliga remains the key aim for Christian Streich. Freiburg had passed the previous rounds with flying colours, having defeated 1860 Munich and Eintracht Trier away as well as FC Köln once again at the Schwarzwald-Stadion.
Both sides settled well and were keeping the ball well, but it was the visitors who were playing with the most intent; quickly playing between the Wolfsburg lines in a style of play synonomous with Christian Streich's side. die Wölfe's impressive trio of André Schürrle, Kevin De Bruyne and Daniel Caligiuri looked dangerous in possesion, but the problem for Dieter Hecking's side was that they saw very little of it, with large swathes being played in their own half.
Despite this, the first chance of the game would fall to the hosts. André Schürrle fresh from his first goal in the green of Wolfsburg, working some good space before forcing Roman Bürki into a good save which resulted in a corner. The resulting efforts however didn't amass in anything for die Wölfe. But after this chance, the regular pattern of play resumed with Wolfsburg's attacking players continuing to be frustrated.
As the half went on, the visitors began to grow more and more into the game. They'd go close through Jonathan Schmid, but the Frenchman's free-kick was well saved by Diego Benaglio following a Luiz Gustavo foul. Schmid would also waste another good opportunity, scuffing a volley past Benaglio's upright.
Even though they weren't receiving much of the ball, die attacking players were a constant threat and as Schürrle played in Bas Dost the score line looked to be broken; but Bürki stood up well and denied the Dutchman before Luiz Gustavo's follow up was blocked by Marc Torrejón. But straight from this Freiburg broke down the other end and had a chance of their own, but Admir Mehmedi's effort lacked power and safely nestled in Benaglio's gloves. The Swiss forward is now without a goal since late November.
The earlier chance seemed to spark Dieter Hecking's side into life and if it wasn't for the ever impressive Roman Bürki they'd have taken the lead. First the Swiss stopper got a slight touch on a Vieirinha effort that slammed against the crossbar, before denying Bas Dost again on the stroke of halftime.
Both sides came out all guns blazing at the beginning of the second half, knowing a place in the final four was on offer. The first real chance would come only three minutes in as Luiz Gustavo and André Schürrle paired up with some good interplay but the eventual chance was missed from a tight angle. They'd have an even better chance just minutes later; Kevin De Bruyne working the angle for a shot. The goal was at the mercy of the Belgian but he snagged his shot wide of the left post. A big let off for the visitors.
Ricardo Rodriguez failed to test his fellow compatriot Roman Bürki with an effort from a free-kick, which only managed to graze the side netting. The Swiss international had scored a similar effort in the weekends 3-1 victory over struggling VfB Stuttgart.
The chances were coming thick and fast for the hosts and once again they were unlucky not to have broken the deadlock. Bas Dost nodding the ball down to André Schürrle who's effort was deflected over the crossbar by Mensur Mujdža. But in the eventual scramble that the following corners produced, Wolfsburg were awarded a penalty for a foul on former Freiburg man, Daniel Caligiuri. Up stepped die Wölfe set piece specialist Ricardo Rodriguez to slam past Bürki who this time had no chance.
For the majority of the second half, the visitors had been a non-entity in the final third but the goal forced Christian Streich's side to open up in an attempt to level the scores.
The away side pushed for an equaliser but were unable to create any meaningful chances against what was a very disciplined Wolfsburg defence. Whilst Wolfsburg were happy to hit Freiburg on the counter and would've increased their advantage but the final ball wasn't good enough. Wolfsburg eventually running out 1-0 winners.