With rumors that Bernd Schuster would be taking over Wolfsburg during the winter break, the players went out and beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the DFB Pokal.
Both teams started cautiously, and Wolfsburg controlled the match early. Things started to open up after the first quarter hour. Naldo tested Bernd Leno from distance, but the goalkeeper made an easy save. Disaster struck Wolfsburg in the 31st minute. Sebastian Boenisch sent in a cross that defender Fagner deflected into his own net to give Leverkusen the 1-0 lead.
The second half was more lively with Wolfsburg pushing for goals. The equalizer came through Christian Träsch. Daniel Carvajal's failed clearance deflected off of Ivica Olic right into Träsch's path, and he shot past Bernd Leno into the net to make it 1-1.
With both sides looking for the winner before the final whistle, it came on a defensive mistake. Ömer Toprak attempted to head a cross from Olic back to his own goalkeeper, but Bas Dost intercepted the pass. The Dutch forward took a touch and put the ball into the goal to start the celebrations in the Volkswagen Arena.