With de Bruyne on board, Wolfsburg's chances of winning the first title of the season will only increase significantly. Last year's second place finisher is looking to prevent FCB from winning their 9th Supercup in its 15th edition. "Bayern are exactly the right benchmark for us," believes new signing Max Kruse in an issue of the Kicker. "We will look to give Bayern a proper fight," claimed the newly crowned Manager of the Year Dieter Hecking.
Managing director Klaus Allofs added: "Bayern have always taken us seriously. But they don't have to start being afraid. Their supremacy is quite distinctive and they don't have to worry about not being the title favourites over the next few years. But that doesn’t mean that we won't try to go for the title as well."
Wolfsburg manager Hecking demands that other Bundesliga teams begin to change their submissive stance when facing the record champions, especially pointing at teams who finished below sixth place last season.
Bayern's record against top teams still improvable
"What gives us some confidence, is when you only count the points collected between the top six teams in last year's campaign, then Bayern finish in sixth and we in first," Hecking explained in local Munich newspaper AZ: "But Bayern won 22 games from 24 matches that weren’t against a top six side. The other teams have to start showing less respect when they play against Bayern."
The outcome of Saturday's Supercup final will not have a great conclusion value according to Allofs: "We would not be title favourites number one should we win the game, and we will also not be chanceless in the title battle should we lose the Supercup."
When DFB Cup winners VfL Wolfsburg and Bundesliga champions FC Bayern München face off in tonight's Supercup, it will be much more than just good preparation game for the new season. The duo are arguably the best sides in Germany right now and are both looking to secure the first title of the new campaign.
"Of course we want to win the Supercup. We have to go for it after losing the last two finals. All good things come in threes," said Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer prior to the prestigious clash with Wolfsburg, having lost the last two Supercup finals to Borussia Dortmund.
Manager Guardiola also made it clear that he "wants to win this title" and is fully aware that the atmosphere in Munich can quickly turn after suffering a defeat: "If you lose this game with a big club, then it's a big title. But if you win the final with a big club, it becomes a small title."
FC Bayern: Robben is fit, Vidal in the squad
Guardiola also looked to dismiss any speculations concerning his certain departure from the Bavarians after his contract runs out in 2016: "I will say this for the first and last time: I have not yet made a decision. I don’t have any offers from any other clubs."
Only winning the Bundesliga title would likely not be enough for the record champions this season. Guardiola wants to win the Champions League this season, after noting from the past two season's that "the semi-final is not enough" for FC Bayern. A first trophy on Saturday in the Supercup against Wolfsburg would do nicely for their self-image. He will have Arjen Robben at his disposal as the Dutchmen recovered in time for the first competitive match of the season. The Spaniard did not reveal however, whether or not new signing Arturo Vidal would make his first appearance for FCB on Saturday evening.
Kevin de Bruyne, who was crowned Football Player of the Year last Sunday, will be available for Wolfsburg. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder returned to the team's training session on Friday.
Wolfsburg: Looking to give Bayern a fight for the title
With de Bruyne on board, Wolfsburg's chances of winning the first title of the season will only increase significantly. Last year's second place finisher is looking to prevent FCB from winning their 9th Supercup in its 15th edition. "Bayern are exactly the right benchmark for us," believes new signing Max Kruse in an issue of the Kicker. "We will look to give Bayern a proper fight," claimed the newly crowned Manager of the Year Dieter Hecking.
Managing director Klaus Allofs added: "Bayern have always taken us seriously. But they don't have to start being afraid. Their supremacy is quite distinctive and they don't have to worry about not being the title favourites over the next few years. But that doesn’t mean that we won't try to go for the title as well."
Wolfsburg manager Hecking demands that other Bundesliga teams begin to change their submissive stance when facing the record champions, especially pointing at teams who finished below sixth place last season.
Bayern's record against top teams still improvable
"What gives us some confidence, is when you only count the points collected between the top six teams in last year's campaign, then Bayern finish in sixth and we in first," Hecking explained in local Munich newspaper AZ: "But Bayern won 22 games from 24 matches that weren’t against a top six side. The other teams have to start showing less respect when they play against Bayern."
The outcome of Saturday's Supercup final will not have a great conclusion value according to Allofs: "We would not be title favourites number one should we win the game, and we will also not be chanceless in the title battle should we lose the Supercup."
