Gent 2-3 Wolfsburg: Julian Draxler scores twice but Belgian side's late fightback gives them hope

 

German international Julian Draxler struck twice as VFL Wolfsburg claimed a 3-2 win in Gent.
Draxler, a £20million signing from Bundesliga rivals Schalke last August to replace Kevin de Bruyne, struck once in each half, with Max Kruse netting a third as the German side headed towards a comfortable victory at the Ghelamco Arena.

However, two goals in the last 10 minutes, courtesy of Sven Kums and Khalifa Coulibaly, gives the home side some semblance of hope ahead of the return leg at the Volkswagen Arena next month.
Draxler opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, cutely turning on the right touchline before advancing, playing a clever one-two with Portuguese winger Vierinha, and coolly stroking past Matz Sels.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos 

 

Difference-maker: Draxler struck twice in Belgium

If that goal was good, his second was even better.
Picking up on a loose pass midway inside the Gent half, Draxler nutmegged the Serbian international Stefan Mitrovic, before cutely scooping over the advancing Sels brilliantly.
Not bad in front of the scouts of 16 Premier League teams.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos

 

Clever finish: Draxler makes it 2-0 with a wonderful finish

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In form: Draxler has sparkled for Wolfsburg of late

Six minutes later, striker Kruse turned home after good work from Christian Trasch to make it 3-0.
But Hein Vanhaezebrouck's side decided to make a game of it late on, reducing the arrears and giving themselves an admittedly slender chance ahead of the second leg in Germany.
With 10 minutes remaining, Gent skipper Kums took matters into his own hands, a strong run followed by a fierce low strike which Koen Casteels could get a hand on but couldn't keep out.
And after Kasteels had been forced to deny Thomas Foket a second, substitute Coulibaly headed home from close range to make it 3-2.

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Game on? Does Coulibaly's late goal give Gent a chance?

But Wolfsburg will be pleased to head home with three away goals and the lead in their pocket.
And despite late defensive aberrations, Hecking will be confident of finishing the job on home soil.

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