Jakub Zieliński, the 18-year-old Polish goalkeeper at VfL Wolfsburg, atoned for a costly error by saving two penalties as his side edged past fourth-tier VSG Altglienicke in the first round of the German Cup, the DFB-Pokal.
The match went to extra time after Wolfsburg let slip three separate leads, before the tie was settled on penalties, where Zieliński's saves proved decisive.
Zieliński's chance arose after fellow Polish goalkeeper Kamil Grabara left Wolfsburg following a long-awaited transfer. Grabara endured a difficult final season at the club, unable to prevent its relegation from the Bundesliga, though experts have said he was one of the few players there with nothing to reproach himself for.
From reserves to first choice
Zieliński joined Wolfsburg from Polish club Legia Warsaw a year ago and spent last season playing for the club's junior sides. He was thrust into the senior goalkeeping role at the start of this season following Grabara's transfer, an injury to Timon Wellenreuther, and strong performances in training.
The teenager, a Poland youth international, started well, keeping clean sheets in his first two matches, at home against Kaiserslautern and away at Hannover, saving one-on-one situations in both games.
Cup error against Altglienicke
His first real test came against Altglienicke, a fourth-tier side, in a German Cup tie Wolfsburg had been expected to win comfortably. Altglienicke stunned the favourites by taking the lead in the sixth minute through Jonas Nietfeld, a goal for which Zieliński could not be blamed.
In the second half, though, Zieliński made a serious mistake. Standing well outside his penalty area, he received a pass from a teammate and, under only light pressure from a home forward, played the ball straight to the feet of an opponent. Jonas Saliger showed no mercy, finishing into the net.
Wolfsburg fight back three times
Altglienicke took the lead three times, but Wolfsburg came from behind on each occasion. Maximilian Arnold scored twice to cancel out Altglienicke's first two goals. In extra time, Mehmet Ibrahimi put Wolfsburg 3-2 up, before Hauke Wahl equalised in the 119th minute.
Zieliński saves two penalties
With the score still level, the tie went to a penalty shootout. In the fourth round of kicks, Altglienicke's goalkeeper saved a shot from Fabian Reese. Zieliński then kept Wolfsburg in contention with a brilliant save against Sonnenberg's effort, before repeating the feat in the seventh round. Kilian Fischer then converted the decisive penalty to send Wolfsburg through to the second round.
What happens next
The draw for the German Cup second round will take place on 6 September. Before then, Wolfsburg have two league fixtures, away at Karlsruhe and at home against Energie Cottbus.
