Real Madrid travelled to Wolfsburg for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night.
The visitors started on the front foot in Germany, but were two goals behind inside 25 minutes courtesy of a penalty from Ricardo Rodriguez and Maximilian Arnold strike.
Real Madrid continued to create opportunities in the second period, but the Spanish giants could not register as Wolfsburg secured a strong advantage ahead of the second leg next week.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Germany as Wolfsburg welcome Real Madrid for the first leg of their quarter-final. It would be fair to say that 11-time European Cup winners Real Madrid are the favourites to progress over the two legs, but Wolfsburg have been impressive in this season's competition. They are rookies at this stage, however, and will face a team that is still unbeaten in Europe this term. Let's hope for an entertaining first leg from the Volkswagen Arena!
6.49pmSomewhat surprisingly, tonight will be the first time that Wolfsburg and Real Madrid have met in a European match. Wolfsburg have actually only ever faced Spanish opposition on four previous occasions – recording one win in the process. That success, however, came in their most recent clash against Villarreal. They faced Real Madrid's city rivals Atletico Madrid twice in the third round of the 1999-2000 UEFA Cup and lost on both occasions – 3-2 at home and 2-1 on the road.
6.52pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Who have Dieter Hecking and Zinedine Zidane placed their faith in for tonight's match? Let's find out...
6.55pmTEAMS:
WOLFSBURG: Benaglio; Vieirinha, Naldo, Dante, Rodriguez; Gustavo, Guilavogui; Draxler, Arnold, Henrique; Schurrle
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
6.58pmWolfsburg have been boosted by the return of goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, who has not played since February 6 due to a rib injury. Influential centre-back Naldo is also fit after missing the last month with a shoulder problem, but Daniel Caligiuri and Sebastian Jung both miss out for the German side. Bas Dost returns to the bench after recovering from a broken foot, with former Chelsea attacker Andre Schurrle picked to lead the attack ahead of Max Kruse, who drops to the bench.
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7.02pmAs for Real Madrid, head coach Zinedine Zidane has made one change from the 2-1 win over Barcelona at the weekend and it has come at right-back, with Danilo taking the place of Dani Carvajal. Sergio Ramos will serve a La Liga suspension following his red card at Camp Nou, but the captain starts alongside Pepe at the heart of the defence tonight, while Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema continued in attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Isco and James Rodriguez are once again on the bench.
7.05pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now around 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Germany. I shall talk about Real Madrid a little bit later, but let's start with the home side Wolfsburg, who, as mentioned, are in the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time. In fact, this is just only their second-ever Champions League campaign following their 2009-10 debut.
7.08pmThis is Wolfsburg's third quarter-final in a major European competition, but the previous two came in the Europa League. They lost to Fulham during the 2009-10 season and were beaten by Napoli at the same stage of last season's competition. They are the underdogs tonight and indeed in the quarter-final tie overall, but the German side have won all four of their home European fixtures this season.
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7.11pmA total of 12 points saw the Bundesliga team top Group B ahead of PSV Eindhoven, with Manchester United finishing in third. It would be fair to say that they received a favourable last-16 draw after being paired with Gent and they secured their spot in this stage with a 4-2 aggregate win. They were bound to meet a monster in the quarter-finals and although they avoided the two favourites Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Real Madrid were the team picked to face the German outfit.
7.14pmWolfsburg will not enter this match in the best of form, however, having not recorded a victory since beating Gent 1-0 in the second leg of their last-16 clash. Since then, they have played three Bundesliga matches and lost twice – including a 3-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night. That result has left them down in eighth in the Bundesliga table and six points off the top six.
7.17pmUnless Wolfsburg win the Champions League this season, it seems very unlikely that they will qualify for next season's competition. Not many are giving them a hope of beating Real Madrid, but the German side have actually only lost one of their last seven Champions League games in this stadium and that was back in December 2009 against Manchester United. Their four-game winning streak is also their best ever run in the Champions League. There might well be a shock on the cards tonight.
7.20pmReal Madrid, however, have won three of their last four away games against German opposition and scored 12 times in the process. They have also progressed in each of their last four Champions League knockout encounters with German clubs. Borussia Dortmund were the last Bundesliga team to beat Real Madrid over two legs in this competition and that came in the 2012-13 semi-finals.
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7.23pmWolfsburg are very inexperienced at this stage of the Champions League, but Real Madrid's European Cup quarter-final record is played 32, won 26 and lost six. They have won each of their last five last-eight clashes in this competition and have won eight of their last 11 European games on their travels – including a 2-0 victory over Roma in the first leg of their last-16 clash in February.
7.26pmReal Madrid breezed through the group stages of this season's competition – winning five of their six matches to top Group A ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, who face Manchester City tonight. They have actually only conceded three times in the competition this season and recorded a 4-0 aggregate victory over Roma in the last round. What's more, since losing 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid in the league at the end of February, Real Madrid have won each of their last six in all competitions.
7.29pmThe most recent of those victories came at Camp Nou on Saturday night, when they came from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 and end the Catalan side's 39-game unbeaten run in the process. The result moved Zidane's team to within seven points of Barcelona in La Liga and to within one point of second-place Atletico. It has been a good few weeks for Los Blancos and they will want to continue that tonight.
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7.32pmReal Madrid will also view their next four matches as winnable fixtures. At the weekend, they will welcome Eibar in La Liga, before hosting Wolfsburg for the second leg of their quarter-final next Tuesday. April 16 will then see Los Blancos make the trip to fellow capital side Getafe and if all goes to plan, they will welcome an impressive Villarreal on April 20 on the back of a 10-game winning run.
7.35pm
Suited and booted. ⚪️🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/EKSLbVebOA
— Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) April 6, 2016
7.38pmPREDICTION! I fancy Real Madrid to secure a first-leg advantage tonight. Wolfsburg have been strong at home in Europe this term, but Los Blancos have started to show signs of their best form in recent weeks and there is a better balance to their team with Casemiro in the middle of the park. I just cannot see Wolfsburg stopping the 'BBC' and for me, Real Madrid will win this match 2-0.
7.42pmJust a reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
WOLFSBURG: Benaglio; Vieirinha, Naldo, Dante, Rodriguez; Gustavo, Guilavogui; Draxler, Arnold, Henrique; Schurrle
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
0 minKICKOFF! The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged - time for the football. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium and the hosts will certainly look to feed off their supporters! Right, it is Real Madrid that kick us off here...
2 min... as expected, Real Madrid have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes and that pattern is expected to continue throughout the match. Wolfsburg will sit deep and attempt to threaten on the counter-attack, but it is a really, really big ask against this super Real Madrid team.
2 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Real Madrid have the ball in the back of the net as Ronaldo fires home from inside the box, but the flag is raised. What a start that would have been for Los Blancos!
4 minNo real surprise that Real Madrid are in control of the ball at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. The visitors have a shout for a penalty as Bale goes down inside the box under pressure from Gustavo, but the referee is not interested. Not for me, Gareth.
6 minAnother half-chance for Real Madrid as Marcelo delivers a cross into Bale, but the Welshman cannot fashion a clear attempt and Wolfsburg manage to clear. Not too much from the home side in the opening six minutes, but a rare venture forward from Gustavo raises the noise levels in the crowd.
8 minPass, pass, pass from Real Madrid as they continue to control the pace of this match.
10 minBale races away down the left before delivering a low cross into Ronaldo, but Benaglio is on hand to claim under pressure from the Portuguese. Super work from Bale in a wide position once again.
12 minTo be honest, Real Madrid look on a different planet to Wolfsburg at the moment. They are utterly dominating this match all over the park and the home side just cannot make their mark here.
13 minSAVE! Much better from the home side as Draxler picks out the head of Henrique with a super cross, but the Brazilian's effort was always straight at Navas. More like it!
14 minSAVE! Comfortably the best chance of the match thus far as Benzema drives into the Wolfsburg box before attempting to beat Benaglio from close range, but the Wolfsburg stopper is on hand to make the stop. The rebound fell to Bale, but the Welshman fired wide of the post!
16 minHenrique strikes one from distance, but his effort is very comfortable for Navas.
17 minPENALTY WOLFSBURG!
17 minWolfsburg have a penalty as Casemiro brings Schurrle to the ground inside the box! It is a little unfortunate, but there was contact and the referee waited a second or two before whistling!
18 minGOAL! Wolfsburg 1-0 Real Madrid (Rodriguez, pen)
19 minRodriguez sends his effort past Navas and the home side lead here!
19 minBOOKING! Vieirinha (Wolfsburg) is booked for a late challenge on Marcelo.
22 minReal Madrid have dominated this match for long spells, but it is Wolfsburg that lead with 22 minutes on the clock. That is football! Real Madrid will fancy their chances of hitting back, but that might not come from Casemiro, who has just sent a poor attempt into the stands for the visitors.
24 minReal Madrid are vulnerable to the counter-attack here as Draxler again races down the right before delivering, but Schurrle cannot make contact and Real Madrid launch a break of their own.
25 minGOAL! Wolfsburg 2-0 Real Madrid (Arnold)
26 minWould you believe it! Wolfsburg lead 2-0 on home soil as Arnold turns a low Henrique cross past Navas from close range after some terrible defending from Real Madrid! What is happening here!
28 minSAVE! Schurrle forces Navas into a smart stop as Wolfsburg break forward once again. What on earth is happening in this Real Madrid defence - it is so wide open tonight.
30 minSo, Real Madrid have some work to do in this quarter-final! It is still very early, but Wolfsburg have scored twice without reply in the opening 25 minutes and it has been an incredible turn-up!
33 minReal Madrid still seem shocked here as Wolfsburg continue to find space in wide positions. You sense that Los Blancos will fancy their chances of scoring at least once tonight, but they would not have planned to go 2-0 behind, especially at this stage. I think we will see more goals in this one!
33 minCHANCE! Should score! Bale sets up Benzema with a super cross from the left, but the striker heads wide of the post. They have had the opportunities to register tonight!
34 minDraxler fires wide from a tight angle as Wolfsburg again undo Real Madrid's defence.
36 minNaldo gets across to block a strike from Ronaldo as Real Madrid threaten once again. Bale then drives into the Wolfsburg box, but once again Naldo is across to make a stunning challenge.
38 minKroos has a go on the half-bounce as Real Madrid continue to cause problems to the left, but the German's effort is straight at the home side's goalkeeper, who clings on under pressure. It must be said that the opening 38 minutes of this match have just flown past. What a half it has been!
38 minWide from Draxler as he cuts inside Danilo once again.
41 minDraxler has been the standout player tonight and the German is giving Danilo all sorts of problems in a wide position. The news gets worse for Real Madrid as Benzema hits the deck and stays there.
42 minREAL MADRID SUB! Jese Rodriguez replaces Benzema for the away side.
44 minInteresting that Zidane chose Jese to replace Benzema over James Rodriguez, who is just not in Zidane's good books at the moment. Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium as we approach the break, but Wolfsburg are comfortably keeping possession all over the field here.
44 minReal Madrid have a free kick in a very dangerous area here as Naldo fells Jese...
45 min... Bale takes, but his effort was always over the crossbar.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Wolfsburg 2-0 Real Madrid
8.32pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first 45 minutes to a close with Wolfsburg leading Real Madrid 2-0 in the first leg of this quarter-final. A Rodriguez penalty sent the home side ahead in the 18th minute, before Arnold made it 2-0 seven minutes later. Real Madrid have had chances of their own to net a vital away goal, but they have been unable to find the back of the net in Germany tonight!
8.37pmSTATS! Real Madrid have shaded the possession with 58%, while they have had eight attempts, but just two of those were on target. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, have hit the target with five of their seven attempts thus far. Just the one booking and that came for the hosts in the shape of Vieirinha.
8.42pmBENCH WATCH! Wolfsburg have not been short of attacking invention in this match, but they have both Dost and Kruse on their bench tonight. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have already been forced into one change - Jese for Benzema, but Zidane still has the likes of Isco and James Rodriguez on his bench tonight. Defensively, Los Blancos have been so disappointing in this quarter-final.
8.45pmMATCH PIC!
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46 minRESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Real Madrid net a vital away goal tonight? Let's find out! Wolfsburg resume the action on home soil...
47 min... no changes from either manager at the break, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage. However, I suspect that both will already be considering alterations for the second period.
49 minMarcelo finds space inside the Wolfsburg box, but his strike from a wide angle is blocked. It has been a strong start to the second half from Real Madrid, who really need to find an away goal.
50 minHalf-chance for Real Madrid as Bale sets up Ronaldo inside the Wolfsburg box, but the Portuguese can only snag his effort wide of the post. Much better pressure from the Spanish giants here.
51 minAnother half-chance for Ronaldo, but the Portuguese fires his effort wide after slipping!
53 minAs good as Wolfsburg have been tonight, one goal for Real Madrid arguably makes them favourites in the second leg. A clean sheet for Wolfsburg would be massive entering the return in Spain, but even then you would fancy Real Madrid to score at least twice at home. It is delicately poised!
53 minBOOKING! Benaglio (Wolfsburg) is booked for wasting time.
55 minDraxler delivers another dangerous cross into the Real Madrid box, but Henrique cannot make contact under pressure from Marcelo. Real Madrid continue to live dangerously at the back!
57 minAnother half-chance for Real Madrid as Bale finds the head of Ronaldo at the far post, but once again, the attacker misses the target. The Spanish side have had a lot of chances tonight!
60 minLittle over 30 minutes of football remaining in this first leg and Wolfsburg are pretty comfortable at the moment, despite not seeing much of the ball. Real Madrid have been very disappointing here.
61 minBOOKING! Gustavo (Wolfsburg) is booked for a late challenge on Ronaldo.
63 minRonaldo again lines up a free kick outside the Wolfsburg box, but his effort hits Gustavo and goes behind for a corner. Wolfsburg need to be a touch careful as they continue to drop deep.
65 minREAL MADRID SUB! Modric is replaced by Isco for the away side.
65 minTerrific defending from Ramos, who just prevents Schurrle from running into a clear one-on-one situation with Navas. Real Madrid remain on the front foot, but they are leaving space at the back and a third for Wolfsburg could be decisive ahead of the second leg in Madrid next week.
68 minAs it stands, Real Madrid need three goals if they are to make the semi-finals, but there is still a lot of quarter-final football to be played between these two teams. Not too much to report in terms of chances at the moment and that is great news for Wolfsburg, who are containing Real Madrid.
69 minCHANCE! Massive chance for the home side as Henrique sets up Schurrle with a wonderful cross, but the German just misses the target! What a chance for 3-0 Wolfsburg here!
70 minBOOKINGS! Bale (Real Madrid) and Arnold (Wolfsburg) are booked following a coming-together between both sets of players. Marcelo was fortunate to escape kicking out at Arnold!
71 minBale strikes one over the crossbar as Real Madrid threaten once again.
73 minSAVE! Another wonderful chance for Ronaldo, but Benaglio makes the save!
74 minBale fires another strike over the crossbar as Wolfsburg keep their 2-0 lead in tact.
76 minLittle under 15 minutes of football remaining and Real Madrid continue to search for that crucial away goal. Another Kroos pass goes astray, however, and the home side can settle once again.
77 minSAVE! Navas keeps out a low strike from Henrique as Wolfsburg counter again.
80 minWOLFSBURG SUB! Trasch replaces Henrique for the home team.
82 minIt just is not happening for Real Madrid as Isco concedes possession in a dangerous area, allowing Wolfsburg to counter. The home supporters are doing their best to raise their team late on here.
84 minYou still get the feeling that Real Madrid are going to work an opportunity late on as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Ronaldo and Bale look the two most likely for the away team.
85 minWOLFSBURG SUB! Schurrle is replaced by Kruse.
85 minREAL MADRID SUB! James Rodriguez replaces Kroos for Real Madrid.
88 minDefensively, Wolfsburg have been wonderful tonight. They have had to ride their luck, but Naldo has been a mountain at the back. Good running from Trasch brings the hosts deep into the Real Madrid half and we are approaching the very final moments of this first leg. What a game for Wolfsburg!
90 minWonderful noise inside the stadium as the supporters rise to their feet!
90 minSAVE! Navas does well to keep out Kruse from a wide angle!
90 min+1Four additional minutes to be played!
90 min+2Brilliant from Vieirinha as the Wolfsburg full-back wins his team a free kick in the Real Madrid half of the field. The noise levels inside the stadium are just incredible as Wolfsburg close on the win.
90 min+3WOLFSBURG SUB! Draxler is replaced by Schafer for Wolfsburg.
90 min+4Naldo clears ahead of Ronaldo as Wolfsburg smash the ball down-field once again.
90 min+5FULL-TIME: Wolfsburg 2-0 Real Madrid
9.37pmIncredible! The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid losing 2-0 in Germany following an excellent Wolfsburg performance! Incredible scenes inside the stadium as the players celebrate with the supporters. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
