Paul Simonis won the Volkswagen Cup on Sunday with VfL Wolfsburg, a tournament held in Zwickau, Germany, featuring FSV Zwickau and Dynamo Dresden as the other participants.
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In the state of Saxony, a region with deep footballing traditions and a complex history as part of the former East Germany (DDR), VfL Wolfsburg secured another pre-season success by winning the Volkswagen Cup, a friendly tournament held in the city of Zwickau.
The format of the competition was short but intense, with each of the three matches played consisting of just 45 minutes a structure designed to test squads' depth, adaptability, and sharpness ahead of the competitive season.
The scorching temperatures added an extra layer of difficulty, particularly for players still regaining full match fitness after the summer break. Nevertheless, Wolfsburg approached the competition with a clear objective: not just to win, but to continue building momentum under their new manager, Paul Simonis, who is still shaping the squad according to his vision.
Wolfsburg started the tournament strongly, fielding a competitive lineup in their first match against Dynamo Dresden, a club with a proud history now preparing for another season in the 2. Bundesliga. Simonis’s side displayed superiority from the start, controlling possession and dictating the tempo. The quality gap was evident, and Wolfsburg ultimately secured a 2-0 victory without too many alarms, sending a clear message about their ambitions for the upcoming Bundesliga season.
For the second match, Simonis made wholesale changes to the lineup, giving opportunities to fringe players and younger talents eager to impress. Their next opponent was the local side FSV Zwickau, who compete in the Regionalliga Nordost, the fourth tier of German football. Despite the changes, Wolfsburg maintained their high standards, comfortably dispatching Zwickau with the same 2-0 scoreline. The squad’s depth was on display, with every player demonstrating intensity and tactical discipline, something Simonis has been demanding since his arrival.
By winning both matches, Wolfsburg lifted the Volkswagen Cup a symbolic but nonetheless welcome addition to their pre-season campaign. It was a small but meaningful achievement for Paul Simonis, coming almost exactly three months after he captured his first major honour as a coach by winning the KNVB Cup with Go Ahead Eagles. While the Dutchman is the first to admit that a pre-season trophy does not carry the same prestige as a national cup title, the victory in Zwickau reinforces the positive trajectory of his early tenure at Wolfsburg.
After the tournament, Simonis took the opportunity to send a message to his squad. He emphasized the importance of internal competition, particularly in attacking positions, where he wants every player to push their limits. A focal point of this conversation was Danish striker Jonas Wind, whose future at the club has been the subject of speculation amid interest from other teams. Simonis expressed his desire for Wind to remain at Wolfsburg, stating: “Yes, I’m happy to have him here. Hopefully, they’ll make it difficult for me to choose, then we’ll have plenty of attacking options,” he told German sports outlet Kicker. His words reflect not only his confidence in Wind’s abilities but also his broader philosophy of fostering a competitive squad environment where no position is guaranteed.
Looking ahead, Wolfsburg will continue their preparations with a training camp in East Germany, taking advantage of the facilities and the chance to further integrate tactical ideas. On August 2nd, Wolfsburg will cross the border into the Netherlands for a high-profile friendly against Feyenoord in Rotterdam a fixture that will offer a sterner test against a team that consistently competes at the top of the Eredivisie and in European competitions.
The real business, however, begins on August 23rd when Wolfsburg kick off their Bundesliga campaign with an away trip to Heidenheim. Expectations are gradually rising around the club, especially after the steady progression under Simonis. The manager is well aware that pre-season form counts for little once the league starts, but he will be encouraged by the discipline, fitness levels, and positive spirit his players have shown so far.
Wolfsburg’s fans will be eager to see if the team can translate these early signs of promise into consistent performances when it matters most. With a coach hungry for further success, a squad blending experienced names with emerging talents, and a club determined to reassert itself in the Bundesliga, the 2025/26 season could well mark a turning point for the Wolves.
Updated: 10:54, 21 Jul 2025
