VfL Wolfsburg returned from the international break in fine form, storming to a 4-2 win over Hoffenheim at the Volkswagen Arena. The visitors would fight back from 2-0 down before Max Kruse completed a hat-trick to assure his side of all three points.
Quick-Fire Double
It didn't take long for the action to get underway as it took just one minute for the deadlock to be broken. Kruse was all alone in the middle of the six-yard box to tap in a cross inside 60 seconds to give his side the 1-0 lead. Wolfsburg doubled their lead six minutes later to lead 2-0 before the 10 minute mark. An excellent cross from summer signing Julian Draxler was met by the head of Bas Dost and the Dutchman's effort flew past Oliver Baumann.
Wolfsburg continued to look the better of the two sides in the first half, going close to a third with Draxler and Dost in a six-minute span. Hoffenheim finally found their way back into the game and got on the scoresheet in the 29th minute with Jeremy Toljan slotting into the bottom corner to reduce the deficit to one.
Naldo's effort just before the break was too high to trouble the Hoffenheim 'keeper and the two sides went in at the break with Wolfsburg leading 2-1.
Kruse Control
The start to the second half was a completely different story to the first with the visitors getting back on level terms in the 54th minute. Jonathan Schmid finished at the near post from close-range to complete a comeback for Hoffenheim.
Wolfsburg were back in front just after the hour mark as Kruse continued his fine performance with his second of the game. A composed finish from inside the area to restore his side's lead.
Hoffenheim's chances of a second comeback were finished seven minutes from time with Kruse completing his hat-trick. Substitute Andre Schürrle found the striker with his cross and the German was on hand to fire into the top corner to make it 4-2.
Wolfsburg finish off a big win at home thanks to Kruse and Dost and currently sit in eighth in the Bundesliga table.