There is huge anticipation among the VfL Wolfsburg players, managers and fans alike as tonight (20:45 CEST) they take on CSKA Moscow in their opening game of the Champions League. After six years’ absence, the DFB-Cup winners want to establish themselves in the European class of elites, but they are taking tonight’s opposition very seriously. "We need to have a good day, but we want to enjoy it as well," said sporting director Klaus Allofs.
Last year’s Bundesliga runners up have a simple aim: "We want to get through the group stage," said Allofs. The favourites in Group B are Manchester United with DFB captain Bastian Schweinsteiger. Other than that it’s all to play for with Moscow and PSV Eindhoven, making a home victory tonight all the more important.
Draxler wants to be more incisive
The weekend leading up to the Champions League return did not go quite according to plan for VfL Wolfsburg. On Saturday away at promoted side FC Ingolstadt, the Wolves lacked both creativity and sharpness in front of goal. Even record signing Julian Draxler, who made his Wolfsburg debut, and fellow World Cup winner André Schürrle couldn’t break them down.
After his first game in a VfL shirt, Draxler was self critical of his performance in the number ten position. "We lacked the incisiveness" said the 21-year-old. Nevertheless, he wants to stay positive ahead of the challenge ahead against Moscow: "It’s a big game, the anticipation is immense."
Felix Magath, the man who discovered Draxler, calls for patience with the youngster. "Julian was very committed. I think he showed that he will play an important role at VfL," said Magath after Draxler’s debut. The 62-year-old brought the young talent to the Bundesliga with Schalke when he was just 17. "It will take a while for everything to come in to place for him" advised Magath.
"We will find someone to score the goals"
Exactly six years ago to the day, Wolfsburg began their last Champions League campaign, against none other than CSKA Moscow. Back then, manager Armin Veh’s side got off to a great start with a 3-1 win; the Brazilian Grafite scored all three goals. "Unfortunately he’s not with us anymore," said goalkeeper both then and now Diego Benaglio. "But we will find someone else to score the goals."
According to Allofs, the Russians – with former Köln player Zoran Tosic in the ranks – are an "experienced and physically robust side." The five time Russian champions are five points clear at the top of the league after eight games. "They’re a tough lot to break down, they’re physically robust and have two or three outstanding attacking players," said manager Dieter Hecking who is still without the injured Vierinha. Last weekend, CSKA drew 2-2 with Zenit St. Petersburg and dropped their first points of the season. In the qualifiers for the Champions League, the UEFA-Cup winners from 2005 beat Sporting Lisbon to proceed to the group stage.
