The 2,500 kilometer trip to south Russia began early on Wednesday morning for VfL Wolfsburg, but the Bundesliga team don’t want this to affect them. After two failed attempts to secure a win so far this Europa League campaign, Dieter Hecking’s side will be hoping that they can turn that around and get their first win against Russian opposition FK Krasnodar on Thursday evening (18:00 CEST), which would keep their hopes of qualifying for the next stage alive.
“It’ll be a tough game. They have a good team, possibly even the best in the group,” said Hecking before the game against the team that sit in fifth place in the Russian league. “You can’t measure their team because they’re unknown to us. Krasnodar have a lot of good players.” Sporting Director Klaus Allofs said to Sky: “Obviously we’re under pressure. We should come out of the game with something.”
Wolfsburg sit in fourth place
Undoubtedly, Wolfsburg have very good players, but they’ve rarely shown their quality on the European stage so far this season. A 4-1 loss to Everton and a 1-1 draw with OSC Lille- the Niedersachsen club currently sit in fourth place in Group H. Hecking’s team haven’t been taking their chances in their European matches. “It’s a very important game for us,” said striker Ivica Olic. “But it’ll be tough.”
But things have been better in the Bundesliga. Three wins in a row, and the German champions from 2009 have closed the gap on the leading pack. “We’re doing well,” said Sporting Director Klaus Allofs. “Now we have to stay there, not only in the Bundesliga, but also in the Europa League.” Good performances will be vital in the midweek games, including next Wednesday’s DFB cup game against 1. FC Heidenheim.
Rodriguez and Hunt unavailable, Bendtner doubtful
The preparations for the important game on the Black Sea have been marred by personnel problems. In-form left-back Ricardo Rodriguez (thigh) and midfielder Aaron Hunt (ankle) are both unavailable. It’s also likely that striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin) will miss out.
The opposition from Krasnodar, situated about 1,200 kilometres south of Moscow, are also waiting for their first win in the Europa League this season, but they’ve put in good performances so far. “Krasnodar are phenomenal at going forward after winning the ball off you,” said Hecking. In the Russian league, they’ve had two losses in ten games so far, and last weekend they drew 2-2 against leaders Zenit St. Petersburg.
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The 2,500 kilometer trip to south Russia began early on Wednesday morning for VfL Wolfsburg, but the Bundesliga team don’t want this to affect them. After two failed attempts to secure a win so far this Europa League campaign, Dieter Hecking’s side will be hoping that they can turn that around and get their first win against Russian opposition FK Krasnodar on Thursday evening (18:00 CEST), which would keep their hopes of qualifying for the next stage alive.
“It’ll be a tough game. They have a good team, possibly even the best in the group,” said Hecking before the game against the team that sit in fifth place in the Russian league. “You can’t measure their team because they’re unknown to us. Krasnodar have a lot of good players.” Sporting Director Klaus Allofs said to Sky: “Obviously we’re under pressure. We should come out of the game with something.”
Wolfsburg sit in fourth place
Undoubtedly, Wolfsburg have very good players, but they’ve rarely shown their quality on the European stage so far this season. A 4-1 loss to Everton and a 1-1 draw with OSC Lille- the Niedersachsen club currently sit in fourth place in Group H. Hecking’s team haven’t been taking their chances in their European matches. “It’s a very important game for us,” said striker Ivica Olic. “But it’ll be tough.”
But things have been better in the Bundesliga. Three wins in a row, and the German champions from 2009 have closed the gap on the leading pack. “We’re doing well,” said Sporting Director Klaus Allofs. “Now we have to stay there, not only in the Bundesliga, but also in the Europa League.” Good performances will be vital in the midweek games, including next Wednesday’s DFB cup game against 1. FC Heidenheim.
Rodriguez and Hunt unavailable, Bendtner doubtful
The preparations for the important game on the Black Sea have been marred by personnel problems. In-form left-back Ricardo Rodriguez (thigh) and midfielder Aaron Hunt (ankle) are both unavailable. It’s also likely that striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin) will miss out.
The opposition from Krasnodar, situated about 1,200 kilometres south of Moscow, are also waiting for their first win in the Europa League this season, but they’ve put in good performances so far. “Krasnodar are phenomenal at going forward after winning the ball off you,” said Hecking. In the Russian league, they’ve had two losses in ten games so far, and last weekend they drew 2-2 against leaders Zenit St. Petersburg.
