No happy ending for Juergen Klopp as Wolfsburg claim DFB-Pokal success

DFB-Pokal, Olympiastadion - Borussia Dortmund 1 (Aubameyang 5) VfL Wolfsburg 3 (Gustavo 22 De Bruyne 33 Dost 38)

Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp acknowledges fans next to the trophy

Image credit: Reuters

Wolfsburg VfL claimed the first DFB-Pokal honour of their history - and ruined Jurgen Klopp’s final game in charge of Borussia Dortmund - with an impressive 3-1 triumph.
The script was written for Klopp to bid a perfect farewell to the ‘Yellow Wall’ by securing a second DFB-Pokal trophy and his side made an ideal start when they opened the scoring on five minutes through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
But Dieter Hecking’s side had other plans and hit back with three first-half goals to scupper Klopp’s dreams of a fairytale ending.
Luiz Gustavo levelled the scores on 22 minutes, Kevin De Bruyne put his side in front with a spectacular effort from distance just 11 minutes later and Bas Dost extended the lead on 38 minutes.
A determined Dortmund emerged in the second half and they could have reduced the scoreline just five minutes after the restart when the impressive Shinji Kagawa was denied by a post.
Marco Reus - who had a frustrating evening and was eventually replaced by Ciro Immobile – came close on 56 minutes when his powerful effort flashed over the bar.
However, Dortmund were unable to find a way past a resilient and well organised Wolfsburg side who now have a trophy to accompany their Bundesliga runners-up medal.
It was a sad conclusion for Klopp - who looked teary-eyed at the final whistle – as his seven-year reign as manager of Dortmund comes to an end.
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VfL Wolfsburg's goalkeeper Diego Benaglio lifts up the trophy after the German Cup (DFB Pokal) final

Image credit: Reuters

KEY MOMENTS
5’- GOAL! Dortmund 1-0 Wolfsburg! It's a perfect start for Dortmund as Aubameyang fires Klopp's side into a five minute lead!
17’ - MISS! Oh, Reus has missed a sitter to double his side's advantage. Kagawa won the ball on the flank and played a delicious pass across goal to Reus who puts his shot into the crowd.
22’ – GOAL! Dortmund 1-1 Wolfsburg! Wolfsburg equalise through Gustavo and they are level! Naldo struck a free-kick low and hard at Langerak who can only parry the shot into the feet of the Wolfsburg midfielder who taps the rebound into the net.
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VfL Wolfsburg's Luiz Gustavo celebrates a goal against Borussia Dortmund with team mates Kevin De Bruyne and Naldo (L-R)

Image credit: Reuters

33’ – GOAL! Dortmund 1-2 Wolfsburg! Wolfsburg take the lead courtesy of a fantastic strike from De Bruyne from all of 25 yards, leaving Langerak beaten at his near post. Klopp looks on, his party is in jeopardy...
38’ - GOAL! Dortmund 1-3 Wolfsburg! Dortmund are at sea now as Wolfsburg extend their lead to 3-1! Perisic whipped in a great ball from the byline, Dost found himself between two Dortmund defenders to head the ball powerfully into the back of the net.
48’ - SAVE! And what a crucial save by Langerak that could be! De Bruyne found Caligirui in behind the defence with a neat pass but the Dortmund 'keeper made himself big and got a foot to the incoming shot. Dortmund are hanging on, just.
50’ - CLOSE! Kagawa gets a slight touch on a pass from Reus which is delivered across the face of goal but the ball agonisingly skims the post and goes out of play.
56’ - OVER! Dortmund continue to put pressure on their opponents and they came close to grabbing a goal back through Reus who shoots at goal from the edge of area but his effort is just too high of the net.
79’ - SAVE! Kagawa collects possession on the edge of the area and produces a really powerful shot at goal but Benaglio does tremendously well to save and to hold onto the ball.
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VfL Wolfsburg's coach Dieter Hecking celebrates after winning the German Cup

Image credit: Reuters

TALKING POINT
Where next for Jurgen Klopp? Manchester City, Liverpool or even West Ham – the well-respected German coach appears keen on a move to England and has plenty of choice it seems.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg): The Belgian international capped a wonderful performance with a deadly goal. He helped his team mates everywhere on the pitch.
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Borussia Dortmund fans light flares during the German Cup final

Image credit: Reuters

PLAYER RATINGS
Dortmund: Langerak 7, Durm 7, Subotic 6, Hummels 6, Schmelzer 5, Kehl 6, Guendogan 6, Mkhitaryan 6, Kagawa 8, Reus 5, Aubameyang 7. Subs: Piszczek 6, Blaszczykowski 6, Immobile 6.
Wolfsburg: Benaglio 7, Vieirinha 7, Klose 6, Naldo 7, Rodriguez 7, Luiz Gustavo 8, Arnold 7, Perisic 8, De Bruyne 9, Caligiuri 7, Dost 7. Subs: Träsch 6, Guilavogui 6, Schuerrle 6.
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