BERLIN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Wolfsburg maintain their top-flight status after beating Holstein Kiel 1-0 on the sole goal from Robin Knoche at the second leg of Bundesliga relegation on Monday.
The "Wolves" booked their ticket for next season's Bundesliga campaign as they moved 4-1 on aggregate past lower-league side Holstein Kiel. It is the second straight season Wolfsburg had to face relegation after finishing on the 16th place of the Bundesliga standings.
From the kick off, Wolfsburg implemented a wait-and-see strategy, knowing they had a 3-1 first leg advantage. Hence, Holstein Kiel came to promising chance when Aaron Seydel pulled wide from inside the box with 15 minutes played.
The visitors from Lower Saxony remained unimpressed and thought they had broken the deadlock as Yunus Malli slotted home two minutes later. However, the goal was disallowed due to an offside position.
Holstein Kiel continued offensively minded but Wolfsburg's defense was on guard, defusing chances in front of the target before the break.
The hosts ensured a lively start into the second half as Wolfsburg's Koen Casteels had to make a save to deny Aaron Seydel from close range for the second time of the night.
Wolfsburg clinically punished Markus Anfang's men as Robin Knoche headed home the 1-0 lead following a corner to shock Holstein Kiel in the 75th minute.
The host pressed frenetically but Rafael Czichos' equalizer was reversed due to a handball. Hence, the "Wolves" protected their narrow lead to the end to secure their 22nd season in the Bundesliga.
For the sixth time in row the first division team have maintained their top-flight status against the lower league side.
"That was my hardest job ever in football but I am very, very satisfied. It is very important to stay up for Wolfsburg," head coach Bruno Labbadia said.
"The atmosphere is very emotional. We all have experience two really great years together. It is bitter that we lost today's game," Holstein Kiel head coach Markus Anfang said.
