VfL Wolfsburg vs Verl

Wolfsburg dominated the opening half-hour without finding a breakthrough. Vinicius Souza tested Verl goalkeeper Timo Schlieck from distance early on, and Lovro Majer fired narrowly wide after Fabian Reese's cross reached him at the far post.

The deadlock came in the 30th minute. Robert Glatzel — who scored a hat-trick in Wolfsburg's previous friendly against Schöningen — found the net again, finishing from close range after a scramble in the Verl box to make it 1-0 at half-time.

Wolfsburg made six changes at the interval, introducing Timon Wellenreuther on debut in goal, along with Matthias Angely, Kilian Fischer, Alessio Besio, Vinicius Souza and Joakim Mæhle. Wellenreuther, who joined the club two days earlier, kept a clean sheet on his first outing.

Cleiton doubled the lead in the 71st minute, finishing calmly after a well-worked move. Substitute Pejčinović then added a third in the 81st minute, heading home from close range to cap a dominant display.

Verl, who had a mass of 10 substitutions across the second half, rarely threatened the Wolfsburg goal. The 3. Liga side failed to register a shot on target in the second period.

Glatzel's 30th-minute opener was the key moment. Verl had absorbed Wolfsburg's early pressure well, but once the striker broke the deadlock, the pattern of the match was set. Wolfsburg controlled the tempo thereafter, and the second-half introduction of Cleiton and later Pejčinović kept the pressure on a Verl defence that had been forced into wholesale changes.

Robert Glatzel (VfL Wolfsburg) — Scored his fourth goal of pre-season (following his hat-trick against Schöningen on 11 July). Held the ball up effectively and linked play well before being substituted in the 75th minute.

Cleiton (VfL Wolfsburg) — The Brazilian winger came off the bench at half-time and scored the crucial second goal in the 71st minute, showing composure in front of goal.

Timon Wellenreuther (VfL Wolfsburg) — Made his debut for the club after signing two days earlier. The 29-year-old goalkeeper, brought in as the new number one, kept a clean sheet in his first 45 minutes of action.

Player of the Match: Robert Glatzel — his opening goal set the tone and he led the line with typical physicality.

Wolfsburg's 3-0 scoreline reflects a controlled, professional performance rather than a dominant rout. The hosts had the majority of possession and created several clear chances, but the game was not a one-sided demolition — Verl's organised defence kept the scoreline respectable for long periods. The pattern was consistent with Wolfsburg's pre-season approach: patient build-up, high pressing, and goals arriving from different sources. Glatzel's goal came from open play, while Cleiton and Pejčinović's strikes highlighted the depth of attacking options in Strobl's squad.

This was Wolfsburg's third pre-season friendly — and third win — following an 8-2 victory over an amateur selection (8 July) and a win over Schöningen (11 July). The step up in opposition quality (from amateur to Regionalliga to 3. Liga) was deliberate, as Strobl had said before the match: "We wanted to increase the level step by step."

Wolfsburg next face Olympique Lyonnais in a high-profile test during their training camp in the Weimarer Land region, before the Bundesliga 2 season begins in early August. The club was relegated from the Bundesliga last season and will compete in the second tier in 2026/27.

For Verl — who finished 6th in the 3. Liga under Strobl last season, their best-ever league finish — this was a valuable exercise against higher-level opposition. They face a continued rebuild under new coach Orest Shala after losing 53 of their 82 league goals from last season to transfers. Verl's next pre-season friendly is scheduled before the 3. Liga season kicks off.

A professional, no-fuss pre-season win for Wolfsburg against a Verl side in transition. Glatzel continues to look sharp, Wellenreuther's debut was assured, and the squad depth is evident. The real test comes against Lyon, but Strobl's Wolves are building momentum with purpose.