Lukas Nmecha was the match-winner: three goals in VfL Wolfsburg’s 4:1 test victory against Hamburger SV. A successful bid by the attacker for more playing time in the Bundesliga.
Wout Weghorst, VfL Wolfsburg’s starting striker, is away with the Dutch national team. So it was the perfect time for Lukas Nmecha to make his presence felt in the attacking centre. With a three-pack against HSV, the 22-year-old underlined his claims for more playing time with the fifth-placed team in the table. “I try to play well,” stresses the striker, “so I can stay on the pitch longer.”
His season statistics so far read like this: he has played in six of seven Bundesliga matches, only once was he in the starting eleven, five times he was substituted, in total he has 198 minutes of action in the league. With two goals, however, he is already VfL’s second-best scorer – behind Weghorst, who scored three times. Nmecha’s interim balance is “quite alright”. However: “Of course I’m not one hundred percent satisfied, you always want to play more and score more goals.”
Weghorst, however, will not be able to get past him any time soon. Even though the Dutchman’s last few games have been rather unfortunate. The chance for Nmecha, who could also play alongside the set goal scorer? “I know I can do it,” emphasises the newcomer, who demonstrates great self-confidence: “I always think I’m the best striker.” Patience will still be needed, however. “How long it will take, I don’t know,” says Nmecha. “My chance up front will come.” The HSV test was the best self-promotion.
