Three-man or four-man: Wolfsburg coach Florian Kohfeldt will have to rebuild his defence without the suspended Maxence Lacroix.
For Saturday’s match against Union Berlin, the question for Florian Kohfeldt inevitably arises in view of the fact that only two centre-backs are still available: will the coach stick with his three-man defence or switch back to a four-man defence, as he did last matchday in Mönchengladbach (2-2) after the now suspended Maxence Lacroix was sent off? “We theoretically have both options,” says the coach, with Kevin Mbabu in particular in mind, whom he can imagine in the three-man backline. “He can play that. “
Kohfeldt on the system question: “I have a clear tendency “
Yet: In Wolfsburg’s 2-2 draw with Arminia Bielefeld in the first half, the attempt with the Swiss on the right in the three-man defence went wrong. Mbabu was at fault for a penalty kick and was substituted after an hour. The difference to the game in November: “I see us as having a more solid system than back then,” explains Kohfeldt, who lets it be known that he would actually like to stick to his formation. He points to “the stability we regained in recent weeks, which also had something to do with a solid basic order. I have a clear tendency, but I still want to see the training sessions.”
But Mbabu is also an option in a possible back four. As a right-back behind Ridle Baku – just like last year, when VfL finished fourth. This season, however, not much has remained of last year’s strengths, with Mbabu in particular unable to match the performances he showed. “Kevin needed a certain moment to deal with the changed competitive situation,” reported Kohfeldt, who only has room for one player on the right in the 3-4-2-1 – mostly Baku.
Mbabu needed to talk and was clearly shown the prospects by his coach in January. “I told him that he definitely has a fair chance and the opportunity to play in this team. But for that, training performance and attitude have to change.” Words that had been received by the 26-year-old. “That’s what he did. He deserved the substitution in Mönchengladbach.” And possibly further appearances as well: “I wouldn’t have any worries,” Kohfeldt said, “if he plays from the start at the weekend. If he continues to train like this, it will be a fierce competition. “
Kohfeldt on MacNulty: “I’m pleased that he has decided to play U 19”
Central defender Anselmo Garcia MacNulty is unlikely to feature for the time being. The Irish junior international with Spanish roots, who signed a professional contract last year, is also unlikely to be considered as a substitute against Berlin. “The probability is rather low,” says Kohfeldt. A circumstance for which the 19-year-old also has himself to blame. In the first half of the season, Garcia MacNulty refused to play for Wolfsburg’s U19s in the A-Junioren-Bundesliga and only played in four Youth League games.
After all, the defender has now played twice in the Junior Bundesliga in the second half of the season, suffering a broken nose in the process, but it is not hampering him. Kohfeldt: “I am pleased that he has decided to play at U19 level. We’ve been trying to tell him for a while that playing practice is very important. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, he didn’t see it that way for a relatively long time and only wanted training. Now he has played two games, which is good.” But not enough for the VfL pros yet.
