Wolfsburg Survive Altglienicke Scare
- Wolfsburg defeated fourth-tier VSG Altglienicke 9-8 on penalties after a 3-3 draw across 120 minutes in the DFB-Pokal.
- Maximilian Arnold scored twice to keep Wolfsburg level, but also gifted Altglienicke their third goal with a misplaced backpass in extra time.
- Wolfsburg goalkeeper Jakub Zielinski, who had earlier caused the hosts' second goal with a poor pass, saved twice in the shootout to seal the tie.
VfL Wolfsburg escaped one of the more embarrassing eliminations in recent German Cup history on Monday evening, edging past fourth-tier VSG Altglienicke 9-8 on penalties after a breathless 3-3 draw across 120 minutes that repeatedly threatened to produce a seismic upset.
A Fourth-Tier Side That Refused to Yield
VSG Altglienicke, competing in only their second DFB-Pokal appearance, were denied the use of their own Spree-Arena for the tie — the ground does not meet DFB infrastructure requirements — and were forced to host the match on Hertha BSC's amateur pitch near the Olympic Stadium. The inconvenience appeared to trouble them little. Jonas Nietfeld gave the hosts a seventh-minute lead, converting from close range after a Lennart Czyborra cross, and VSG goalkeeper Luis Zwick proceeded to produce a sequence of saves — from Fabian Reese, Alexander Bernhardsson, Joakim Maehle and Muhammed Damar — that kept Wolfsburg at bay well into the second half.
Arnold Twice Rescues the Bundesliga Side
Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold, introduced from the bench, broke the deadlock in the 55th minute with a precise strike from 22 metres. The reprieve was brief. In the 71st minute, Wolfsburg goalkeeper Jakub Zielinski played the ball directly to Jonas Saliger, who calmly rolled it into an empty net to restore the lead. Arnold equalised again in the 83rd minute with a direct free kick — his second goal of the evening — to send the tie into extra time.
With Altglienicke players visibly hampered by cramp in the additional period, Wolfsburg's own captain then gifted the hosts a third goal: Arnold's short backpass was intercepted by Mehmet Ibrahimi, who finished coolly from 15 metres to make it 3-2 in the 109th minute. Hauke Wahl rescued Wolfsburg once more in the 117th minute, converting a Reese cross to force the shootout.
Zielinski Atones in the Shootout
In a fitting reversal, the goalkeeper whose error had enabled Altglienicke's second goal became the hero of the penalty sequence. Zielinski saved twice from the spot to clinch a 9-8 win and spare Wolfsburg from a cup exit that would have ranked among the competition's great shocks.
Ambitions That Extend Beyond the Amateur Game
Altglienicke's performance reflected the ambitions of a club that does not regard itself as a conventional fourth-tier outfit. Under a sporting management that includes former professional Torsten Mattuschka — who ended his playing career at the club — VSG have invested heavily ahead of a promotion push towards the third tier. Summer arrivals include former Wolfsburg players Tolga Cigerci and John Brooks, alongside Czyborra, all of whom carry top-flight or international experience. Altglienicke return to Regionalliga action on Friday against Chemie Leipzig; Wolfsburg face Karlsruher SC in the second division on Saturday.
The result preserves Wolfsburg's cup involvement, but the manner of their survival will prompt searching questions about the club's cohesion as they attempt to rebuild following relegation from the Bundesliga.
