Wolfsburg waste opportunity

By Manfred Christoph

VfL Wolfsburg missed out on the chance to reclaim the Bundesliga leadership as they fell to their fourth successive defeat away from home, 3-1 at mid-table Hamburger SV.

Lead stolen
Thomas Brdaric's fifth goal of the season had given Wolfsburg, usurped from top spot by FC Bayern München on Saturday, a first-minute lead but after Facundo Quiroga had been booked for the visitors, Daniel van Buyten equalised following a Stefan Beinlich free-kick six minutes before half-time.

Quiroga off
Wolfsburg were behind by the break, Sergej Barbarez finding the net after great link-up play with striker Naohiro Takahara and once Quiroga was dismissed for a second booking on 71 minutes there was no way back for the visitors. Argentine substitute Bernardo Romeo scored his second goal in eight days to complete the victory at the death.

Late leveller
Marek Mintál rescued a surprise draw for 1. FC Nürnberg at home against Hannover 96, who could have moved fourth with victory. The visitors dominated and went ahead on 56 minutes through Daniel Stendel, and the 30-year-old striker's goal looked as though it would be sufficient to seal Hannover's eighth win of the season. But Slovakian international Mintál pounced nine minutes from time to delight the Frankenstadion regulars and take him clear of DSC Arminia Bielefeld's Delron Buckley at the top of the scoring charts.