The dream of Berlin - and the next setback for Nmecha

Wolfsburg wants to annoy the ex-boss

Ten years ago, VfL Wolfsburg won the DFB Cup, and now they're dreaming of the final in Berlin again. To do that, they have to get rid of RB Leipzig. A reunion with old friends - and without a striker.

The next setback: Lukas Nmecha will be missing from VfL Wolfsburg's cup match against RB Leipzig. IMAGO/Steinsiek.ch

When Ralph Hasenhüttl tilts his head to the right on the press conference podium, he is reminded of what happened in Wolfsburg ten years ago. In the media room there is a large picture of the celebrations from the Berlin Olympic Stadium in 2015, a celebrating VfL team, Diego Benaglio and Marcel Schäfer with the DFB Cup firmly in their grasp. The current coach has no memory of that historic VfL day when Wolfsburg beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 . But Hasenhüttl is certain: "If we get to the final again, we will definitely be shown the pictures again."

It's still two steps to Berlin, and on Wednesday (8:45 p.m., LIVE! on kicker) the two-time winner RB Leipzig has to be eliminated. It will be a duel with many reunions. Hasenhüttl himself worked as a coach at RB from 2016 to 2018, Schäfer, a championship and cup hero and former managing director of the Lower Saxony team, is now working for the Saxons, and Ridle Baku has just switched sides. Hasenhüttl has not had contact with his regular from the first half of the season since his departure in January, but there is still anticipation of the reunion. "We didn't part on bad terms."

The league game as a blueprint? Hasenhüttl does not see it that way

The league match at the end of November, however, went badly, when VfL beat the struggling Leipzig 5-1 . A blueprint for Wednesday's game? No, says Hasenhüttl, for him the RB team now has little in common with the one from back then. "Xavi Simons, David Raum and Ridle didn't play, the team is now set up differently, they have a different approach. You can't compare them."

Wolfsburg triumph: In 2015, VfL won the cup, Marcel Schäfer (right next to the trophy) now works in Leipzig. imago/Joachim Sielski

In November, VfL relied entirely on transition situations, with Mohammed Amoura , Tiago Tomas and Baku, who was still at Wolfsburg at the time, forming the offensive, and Jonas Wind sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. It cannot be ruled out that Hasenhüttl will go all out again despite the changed opponents, and then winter newcomer Andreas Skov Olsen , who has only been used as a substitute so far, could make his debut in the starting eleven.

Nmecha's stay in Wolfsburg becomes more unlikely with every setback

Lukas Nmecha will definitely not play a role on Wednesday. The striker has suffered another setback, his adductors are hurting again, and the uncertainty in the head of the player who is so often injured has clearly not gone away. Bitter for the 26-year-old, whose contract expires in the summer and whose stay becomes more unlikely with every further setback.

With the newsletter "kicker Aktuell" you always stay up to date and get the complete football overview and all important information from the world of sport just in time for the end of the day Monday to Friday.

It will be the fourth game that Nmecha will miss in 2025. He came on in the closing stages of the game against Bochum (1:1) on Saturday. "It's difficult for me as a coach," says Hasenhüttl, "when you keep getting disappointed when you count on him because it doesn't work out." This is also true of other players in his squad. "It's not ideal if you bring in a player who isn't constantly training because of his quality." Overall, "a player who doesn't train for one or two weeks at a time and doesn't stay fit is difficult to integrate."

How does Nmecha get out of this vicious circle?

How does Nmecha get out of this vicious circle? "Anyone who has had injuries for as long as he has, of course, listens to their body extremely carefully, and that naturally makes them feel insecure. He has to trust his body." How is the seven-time national player dealing with this situation? "I don't have the feeling that he is extremely frustrated. He can now cope well with everything. Overall, however, as a player you want to help. If you notice that it isn't working, it's logical to get a little frustrated."

On Wednesday, when VfL Leipzig wants to take a step closer to its dream of Berlin, Nmecha will once again not be there. Wolfsburg can count on the support of its fans: 4,000 supporters are there. And, unlike their current coach, they still have vivid memories of the 2015 cup triumph.