It couldn't be much more honest.

“We didn't create many scoring opportunities.

Actually none, ”admitted Mark van Bommel.

Nevertheless, the Dutchman joked and laughed more than cursed and puked.

The head coach and his VfL Wolfsburg team started the group stage of the Champions League away with a happy 0-0 win. For a team that in the duel with the French champions OSC Lille hardly took place at all, that's respectable. In view of a dismissal for John Anthony Brooks (63rd minute / yellow-red), the draw can even be celebrated as a success. But there was little room for enthusiasm in Wolfsburg luggage.

Beautiful pictures were taken around the excursion of Lower Saxony into top European football.

A neatly dressed tour group had set out in black suits and white shirts to make a good impression.

What has succeeded in terms of VfL Wolfsburg's image raises questions in terms of performance on the pitch.

“I'm really happy it's over,” admitted midfielder Maximilian Arnold.

Little time to work up

“That just wasn't good enough.

But we gave everything, ”added team-mate Josuha Guilavogui.

He had committed a foul seconds before the end of the game, which was only punished with a free kick instead of a penalty after consulting the video assistant.

After an intense game with eight minutes of stoppage time, it was clear on Tuesday evening: This point win must be booked under the category flattering.

There is little time left to deal with the question of why the VfL Wolfsburg professionals did not return to the Champions League with more courage.

This Sunday (7.30 p.m.) she will meet again with coach Oliver Glasner in the Bundesliga.

Before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt, he had managed to forge a successful team in Wolfsburg from a relegated team.

"I think", is the assessment of central defender Maxence Lacroix, "it will be a good game for us." To have acted harmlessly in Lille and to want to win against Frankfurt shows one of Wolfsburg's great strengths. Under van Bommel's care, the homogeneous team does not linger long with annoying quarrels and hesitation. As leaders of the Bundesliga and returning to the Champions League, it conceded only one goal in five games. You can work with this reference and get over criticism of the appearance in Lille.

If something does not work out at VfL or if there is a threat of trouble, the players can be helped by the protective hand of the experienced van Bommel. In Lille, he knew how to actively influence all tricky situations and decisions. An already acclaimed goal for Lille was not recognized. An impending penalty in the final phase was spared. Perhaps all of this had to do with luck in a game in which the Wolfsburg team failed to make a significant shot at the opposing goal. Perhaps the aura of the internationally known van Bommel also plays a role.

The long-time professional reports to the referee team in a targeted and self-confident manner on the sidelines. Like four of his players, van Bommel was shown yellow cards in Lille. Was that justified? Or annoying? “That's the nice thing about football. The emotions fly back and forth. That's why we're all in love with football, ”said van Bommel. He left Lille grinning.