Young Wolves in crisis: defeat against Magdeburg! Next fight against Rostock!

Young Wolves in crisis: defeat against Magdeburg! Next fight against Rostock!

On October 31, 2025, the U17 Young Wolves of VfL Wolfsburg will face a challenge: After a surprising 3-4 defeat against 1. FC Magdeburg at the start of the second half of the season, they now have to play against Hansa Rostock on Saturday, November 1st at 12 p.m. This means that Wolfsburg not only lost their last game, but also their lead in Group B. This is particularly bitter since 1. FC Magdeburg is now at the top with 17 points, but has one more game in their account, as VfL Wolfsburg reports.

Chemistry in defense

The defensive performance in the game against Magdeburg was heavily criticized by head coach Tobias Holm. Four goals conceded is simply too many, according to the coach, who aims to strengthen the defense for the upcoming game, which is known to be one of his priorities. In the last cup game against VfL Sittensen they achieved this impressively with an 11-0 win. Now, with a view to the duel in Rostock, Holm emphasizes the importance of a concentrated game and the basic virtues in football.

The motivation of the opponents

Hansa Rostock comes into the game as bottom of the table and has not yet scored a point in the preliminary round of the youth league. But Holm warns: “Rostock will be very motivated to want to win their first game.” This could lead to a competitive game in which Wolfsburg will need patience to replenish their points. “We have to bring the basics into play to score goals,” adds Holm.

Looking outside the box: FIFA U-17 World Cup

FIFA U-17 World Cup shows how important such tournaments are for the development of young players. The competition, which was launched in 1985 and was originally known as the U-16 World Championship, has changed over the years and has grown in popularity.

The historic success

In 2023, Germany won the title and secured their first victory in tournament history. The most successful nation is Nigeria with a total of five titles, followed by Brazil with four. These are impressive statistics that show how the tournament promotes young talent and provides them with a platform. From 2025, the tournament will be held in Qatar and expanded to 48 teams, which will further increase the level and diversity of the competition. This could also serve as inspiration for the young talents in Wolfsburg.

The next steps