Match Report
Fulham (0) 0-3 (1) Wolfsburg
Friendly at Craven Cottage
Saturday 29th July 2017 KO: 15:00
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Fulham summer signings Ibrahima Cisse and Oliver Norwood both started as Fulham lost their final pre-season friendly 3-0 to German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.
The visitors went in front on 36 minutes, as USA centre-back John Brooks evaded the Fulham defence to meet Daniel Didavi’s free-kick on the corner of the six-yard box, and he guided a header across goal and beyond Fulham keeper David Button.
They doubled their lead 11 minutes from time when substitute Yunus Malli slipped a pass in behind the Fulham defence and Champions League winner Mario Gomez coolly converted.
And ex-Bayern striker Gomez was on target again five minutes later, nodding in Jakub Blaszczykowski’s cross.
The late goals simply highlighted the difference between the two sides, as Fulham struggled to make any impression on the match bar a purple patch early in the second half when they squandered several chances.
And to add to manager Slavisa Jokanovic’s worries, Marcus Bettinelli – who had started in the Fulham goal – limped off after half an hour.
After his replacement Button had been beaten by Brooks’ header, an otherwise low-key first half ended with Ryan Sessegnon lifting a shot over the bar.
Button was forced into a save in the opening minute of the second half, denying Landry Dimata, but the Whites went on to have a string of chances.
Stefan Johansen’s low free-kick was parried away by Wolfsburg keeper Koen Casteels, Sone Aluko flashed a shot across the face of goal from the left channel, and Johansen then met a Cisse cross with a left-footed volley which flew well over the bar.
Fulham brought on 16-year-old midfielder Matt O’Riley for new arrival Cisse, and gave minutes to defender Marcelo Djalo, but they were a distinct second best.
Fulham: Bettinelli (Button 31); Fredericks, Kalas, Ream (Djalo 80), Ryan Sessegnon; Cissé (O'Riley 73), Norwood, Johansen; Piazon (Woodrow 64), Aluko, Ayité (Odoi 61)
Unused substitutes: Norman
Button 5: Looked nervous when playing the ball out from the back and when collecting crosses.
Fredericks 6: Didn't get forward as often in the second half but looked solid defensively with very little coming down the Fulham right.
Sessegnon 6: Was pushed further forward in the second half but didn't see as much of the football as he did in the first half, but that was as a result of Wolfsburg's ability yo keep
Johansen 6: A good performance from Johansen as he took control of Fulham's midfield, showing the engine that made him such a prized asset last season. Was unlucky not to score from his volley but another good game.
Ayite 6: Was replaced on the hour mark by Odoi, and despite doing a lot of running didn't have too much of an impact on proceedings.
Ream 6: Had a decent game in the heart of defence with Kalas, despite a few scrappy moments. He'll be pleased with his contribution in the tackle and in the air.
Norwood 7: Looked better and better as the game went on and was very comfortable in possession of the football and wanted to make things work. My man of the match.
Piazon 5: Wasn't up to speed at all in this game and had very little impact, if any, on proceedings as he glided through the game.
Aluko 6: Continued wanting the ball and saw a lot of it the second half as he was pushed out onto the wing with the emergence of Woodrow.
Kalas 6: A good first game back from Kalas - he looked well up for today's game and did well marshaling the back with Ream, despite conceding two goals.
Cisse 6: Had a solid game in the middle of the park and spent a lot of time harassing and hurrying the Wolfsburg midfield, allowing them very little time on the football. His positioning was spot on for the most part - a decent game from Cisse.
Subs -
Odoi 6: Was at fault for being out of position for Wolfsburg's third goal but apart from that didn't have too much to do and did what he did have to do well.
Woodrow 6: Didn't have much of an impact on proceedings as Wolfsburg stamped their mark on the game and allowed Fulham very little in terms of going forward.
O'Riley 6: Got on the ball a few times but didn't do enough of note in the game to stand out.
Djalo N/A: Wasn't on the pitch long enough to warrant a rating.
Source Andrew Raeburn at WestLondonSport/Ryan O'Donovan at GetWestLondon