Maina seal successive home wins for Köln as Wolfsburg keep faltering | OneFootball

Köln were significantly better in almost all criteria in a one-sided first half, but the gap was only a single goal on the scoreboard. Linton Maina scored an individualistic goal after receiving the ball at the edge of the box from Tom Krauß.

The hosts fashioned more chances before and after Maina’s deflected effort. Ragnar Ache was the closest with a customary headed chance, but Kamil Grabara was equal to it in Wolfsburg’s goal. Patrick Wimmer couldn’t keep his shot low in the only chance for the visitors in the first 45 minutes.

Wolfsburg weren’t helped by the absence of their top scorer Mohammed Amoura from the matchday squad due to “disciplinary reasons”. Daniel Bauer responded quickly with half-time substitutions of Kento Shiogai and Adam Daghim.

On his second Bundesliga appearance, the Japanese nearly made an instant impact. Cenk Özkacar’s hand blocked his pass inside the box, but the referee Martin Petersen decided against a penalty-kick.

Despite Wolfsburg’s poor form, Dzenan Pejcinovic scored his first five Bundesliga goals in his last four appearances. However, the 20-year-old striker missed a glorious opportunity at the hour mark. Although the flag was raised by the assistant referee at the time, it might have been cleared by VAR had he taken his chance.

At the other end, Maina missed out on a career-first Bundesliga brace when his shot from a tight angle hit the sidenetting. Köln had to do more defending in the second half, but Wolfsburg were hardly threatening in yet another poor showing away from home.

Sebastian Sebulonsen made a crucial block from Daghim’s tame effort in one of the better chances for the visitors. The Danish striker had another clear-cut chance in injury-time, but his shot was too close to Marvin Schwäbe. Grabara was also active in the closing moments of the game when his save from Said El Mala's attempt prevented further damage.

The gap between the two teams is now four points as Wolfsburg lost each of their first three away games of the new year. On the contrary, Kwasniok’s side won back-to-back home matches for the first time this season.

Köln will have another home game against RB Leipzig on matchday 21, while Wolfsburg entertain second-placed Borussia Dortmund.