Wolfsburg win DFB Pokal, ruin Klopp's Dortmund goodbye

Ryland James 04:29 31/05/2015
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  • Celebrations: Wolfsburg.

    Jurgen Klopp was denied a title on his final appearance as Borussia Dortmund head coach on Saturday as Wolfsburg claimed a 3-1 victory in the DFB Pokal final.

    Dortmund’s plans to send Klopp off in style after seven years in charge were spoiled by first-half goals from Wolfsburg’s Luiz Gustavo, Kevin de Bruyne and Bas Dost to give their club a first cup final victory.

    Having led Dortmund to the 2013 Champions League final after winning the Bundesliga in 2011 and claiming the German league and cup double in 2012, this was Klopp’s final bow before Thomas Tuchel takes over next season.

    Dortmund took an early lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but Wolves roared back with three goals in 16 first-half minutes to spoil Dortmund’s party plans.

    It was the first time goal-line technology was used in Germany, but there was no doubt about any of the four goals in a frenetic first-half.

    De Bruyne, as he has been all season, was outstanding and the attacking midfielder was a constant menace to the Dortmund defence.

    Borussia drew first blood when Aubameyang drilled home Shinji Kagawa’s final pass from close range with just five minutes gone. It was the 24th goal of what has been an outstanding season in all competitions for the Gabon striker.

    But Wolfsburg hit back as Brazil defender Naldo fired in a free-kick and fellow Selecao international Luiz Gustavo scored after Dortmund goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak had parried the original shot on 22 minutes.

    Dortmund squandered chances as Germany winger Marco Reus and veteran Sebastian Kehl, playing his final game before retirement, fired over the bar.

    Wolfsburg went ahead for the first time when midfielder Daniel Caligiuri trapped the ball for de Bruyne, who hit his shot inside Langerak’s near post for his 16th goal of the season on 32 minutes.

    Borussia were left reeling when former Dortmund midfielder Ivan Perisic fired in a cross and Dost headed home at the far post on 38 minutes to claim Wolfsburg’s third.

    Wolves started the second-half where they had left off with De Bruyne’s defence-splitting pass founding Dost, who was only denied by Langerak’s save at close range.

    Klopp put on Poland internationals Lukasz Piszczek and Jakob Blaszczykowski for the final 20 minutes, while Aubameyang’s freekick forced Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio into a save as time ran out for Dortmund.

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