After the squad rotation in the league at the weekend, Wolfsburg’s stars will be hoping to return to the starting eleven for the Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven tonight (20:45 CET). "Of course you don’t want to sit on the bench," said World Cup winner Julian Draxler.
The former Schalke man initially had to watch the Leverkusen game from the sidelines, but this seemed to spur him on as he scored his team’s winner in the 2-1 victory just after coming off bench. Dante, Bas Dost and Josuha Guilavogui were also benched for the fixture.
"I cannot assume from that that I will play against Eindhoven but I have to try and show the coach that I want to be in the team," said Draxler.
Allofs warns Eindhoven with last 16 in sight
A win against the Dutch champions would be a huge step towards qualification to the next round for Wolfsburg. The Wolves were clearly dominant in the 2-0 victory two weeks ago in the first of the group stages clashes against Eindhoven. "They will be a completely different team at home in the Netherlands," warned sporting director Klaus Allofs.
Allofs also defended the squad rotation of Dieter Hecking. "Everyone must accept that there is competition and that they will sometimes sit out," he said. The rotation has "given a lift to players who have doubted themselves before," he continued.
Schürrle: "We’re going after the win"
"We’re going after the win," announced André Schürrle confidently. The attacking player showed his good form in the win over Leverkusen and the ex-Chelsea man plays quick football in the number ten position. "We know that PSV could punish us, especially at home, so we will approach the game with caution," said Schürrle.
Christian Träsch is also set for a return to the third-place Bundesliga side. The former national team player has overcome his thigh injury. "I am no longer in pain," said the 28-year-old. It is too early, however, for a Max Kruse return, as he is still working through a muscle injury.
If they were to win, and Manchester United were to draw with CSKA, Wolfsburg would be more or less on their way, with nine points and four point gap between them and second place. After tonight, Wolfsburg will have CSKA and Manchester United still to play.