csconstantine.com

* Brazilian Diego scores twice, misses penalty

* Wolfsburg up to 13th with second win in 14 games

(adds details, quotes)

BERLIN, Feb 25 (Reuters) - VfL Wolfsburg’s Diego scored twice after missing a penalty to earn a 2-1 win over Bundesliga bottom side Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday and end his team’s four-game losing streak as they fight to stay up.

The Brazilian, who got a one-game ban earlier this month for defying team orders and taking a penalty which he missed, again fired his spot kick over the bar in the 29th minute.

But he quickly made amends, finishing off a swift move from close range seven minutes later and then curling in a spectacular 25-metre freekick just before the break.

“It was a special game for me because I first missed the penalty,” playmaker Diego told reporters. “I want to thank my team mates who had faith in me after the penalty.”

The visitors were given more space in the second half as Wolfsburg pulled back and they cut the deficit in the 74th when Filip Daems converted a penalty.

Gladbach then missed several good chances to level as Wolfsburg hung on for their only second win in their last 14 games and the first under coach Pierre Littbarski, who replaced former England manager Steve McClaren earlier this month.

Wolfsburg moved up to 26 points, three above the relegation playoff spot, with Gladbach anchored in last place on 19.

League leaders Borussia Dortmund, 10 points clear at the top, visit third-placed Bayern Munich on Saturday while Bayer Leverkusen, in second on 45, travel to Werder Bremen on Sunday.

(Writing by Karolos Grohmann, Editing by Ken Ferris

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Labels: Diego, Gladbach, Reuters, shines, Wolfsburgs