The Champions League has come around again and for the first time since the 2009/2010 season, it makes it's way to Lower Saxony as VfL Wolfsburg enter the competition for only their second time.

It is certainly a case of deja vu for both Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow, as these two met in the group stage when the Wolves first entered the Champions League. On that night Wolfsburg crowned the moment with a empathic 3-1 victory, as Grafite stole the show with a hat-trick. Can Max Kruse or Bas Dost do the same on Tuesday?

An early win will be key for both teams in a group that should be very open. Manchester United face PSV Eindhoven in a game which will steal most the limelight from this group opener, and so it's a great chance to surprise. 

Form and Key Players

Starting with the home side, Wolfsburg have made a tremendous start to the season and are yet to taste defeat as they sit in third place with two wins and two draws. With Kevin De Bruyne gone, Wolfsburg will be hoping that new man Julian Draxler can find his feet again and inspire the Wolves to victory. As previously mentioned, the goals that Dost and Kruse can fire in will be a concern for CSKA and the away side will hope that they can keep both strikers quiet.

Elsewhere Ricardo Rodriguez will be key down the left side; the Swiss wing back causes plenty of problems with his attacking play and his gifted left foot, which is a huge danger from crosses and set pieces. Naldo has been a mainstay in this side at the back and he'll need to be at his best to match the pace and power of Seydou Doumbia

As for the visitors, CSKA, they've been in impressive form themselves and after just eight games they already find themselves steaming ahead of all title challengers. The Moscow club remain unbeaten, like their hosts, having notched up seven wins and only one draw. That draw came on Saturday against Russian champions, Zenit St Petersburg. CSKA brilliantly strolled ahead but they disappointingly dropped points with Zenit scoring two minutes from time. 

CSKA's Champions League journey started in the third play-off round, as they managed to squeeze past Sparta Praha 5-4 on aggregate. The last play-off round, to get into the group stage, saw them impressively strike back and win 3-1 at home to Sporting Lisbon to triumph 4-3 in the tie. 

The Russians have plenty of experience at the back and plenty of flair in attack, a perfect mix which has seen them playing some brilliant football, and is something Leonid Slutsky has quickly carried across to the Russian national team. A vital cog in the CSKA team has been Bibras Natcho. The Israeli midfielder has scored three times this season and created one; his creativity works well alongside the tough tackling Pontus Wernbloom.  

Other threats for CSKA are attackers Ahmed Musa and Doumbia. Musa has grabbed himself three league goals and three Champions League goals this season and he's just as useful as a winger as he is up top.

Doumbia struggled at AS Roma and a much welcomed loan return has seen him back firing in goals. After scoring three times in the play-offs, he finally grabbed his first league goal of the season against Zenit. Attacking midfielders Zoran Tošić and Alan Dzagoev are always a problem for teams too and they aren't shy of chipping in with goals either.

Manager comments (via uefa.com):

Speaking to the press ahead of this fixture, via UEFA, Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking said that he and his team "are really excited to start the Champions League." He believes that they "earned this last season" with their "outstanding campaign."

However, he remains concerned with the opponent, saying that he is "not really excited, because [he has] to do [his] job as usual." Hecking is focused on "[preparing] the team for this match and many things are going through [his] head" in the build up.

The manager recognises that "CSKA have a great attack with Doumbia, Musa, Dzagoev and Tošić," and therefore "nobody should think [Wolfsburg] will win this easily." He thinks his team will "have to put on a very good performance in order to start with a victory."

Slutsky, his opposite number, also realises that the match will be both "important" and "difficult" for his side. He says that he is "responsible for the team" and therefore "feel[s] a lot of pressure," but insists he "can handle it."

Though "Wolfsburg have lost Kevin de Bruyne," CSKA recognise that their opponents have strengthened in response "with the transfers of Dante and Julian Draxler" adding to a "squad [that] is full of quality." Consequently, Slutsky believes his side "will definitely have to be at [their] best to get something out of this match."

Predicted Line-Ups:

Wolfsburg (4-2-3-1) - Benaglio - Rodriguez, Dante, Naldo, Träsch - Gustavo, Guilavogui - Schürrle, Draxler, Caligiuri - Dost.

CSKA Moscow (4-2-3-1) - Akinfeev - Schennikov, V.Berezutski, Ignashevich, Mario Fernandes - Wernbloom, Natcho - Tošić, Dzagoev, Musa - Doumbia.

There aren't too many players missing for Tuesday's match and it should provide an interesting and entertaining encounter. Lastly, there will be a lovely gesture from the Germans as Wolfsburg have invited 1,200 refugees to the match. They will also donate €1 for every ticket that is sold to projects around the area that are helping the refugees. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author