Without goalkeeper Koen Casteels, the VfL Wolfsburg have to face FC Sevilla in the Champions League. The goalkeeper tested positive for COVID-19
It was definitely a shock early this morning at VfL Wolfsburg. A Corona test on goalkeeper Koen Casteels came back positive, and the keeper had to go into domestic quarantine instead of travelling with the team to Braunschweig airport. The Belgian will therefore be absent from VfL’s important group match with Sevilla FC on Tuesday. Thus, his substitute is likely to celebrate his Champions League premiere.
Most recently, Pavao Pervan had already taken centre stage. Before Wolfsburg’s Champions League match against RB Salzburg (1:3), the Austrian had sat on the podium at the press conference in his home country. However, the 34-year-old has never stood between the posts on the biggest international stage. That should change now.
27 competitive games Pervan has made for VfL since 2018
Until now, Pervan, who arrived from Linz ASK in 2018 and is a highly regarded professional as part of the squad, has almost always filled in for Casteels with flying colours. In recent years, the goalkeeper, who has seven caps for Austria, has made 19 appearances in the Bundesliga and twice stood between the posts in the DFB Cup. Pervan has also gained international experience in the VfL jersey, playing in a total of six Europa League matches.
Now the Champions League, the next step for the veteran, whose contract expires in the summer. There have already been talks about an extension. “I hope that we will come to an agreement in the foreseeable future “, Pervan had recently emphasised in an interview with kicker. With a top performance in Spain, the keeper, who has yet to make a competitive appearance this season, could make further arguments in his favour.
