The Wolves are ready to attack and get back on the winning track after their ordinary performances since the Bundesliga returned from the winter break. Wolfsburg urgently need to collect more points because the more points they drop, the more difficult will it be to qualify for the Champions League again. Dieter Hecking's team is currently in seventh with 27 points, while Schalke are fifth with 30.
Wolfsburg struggle too much lately
Wolfsburg are desperate for a good result after the devastating loss to Eintracht Frankfurt two weeks ago and bitter draw against 1. FC Köln last weekend. It's obvious that the Wolves are currently struggling, as they have not won any of their last six games. It is quite surprising given how strong and confident they were last season.
The biggest issue seems to be their conversion of chances and the fact Bas Dost is missing. It definitely shows. Wolfsburg are in need of a high-quality striker, yet Klaus Allofs failed to sign one during the latest transfer window. There are also far too many individual mistakes in the defence as of late. It will be interesting to see how they cope against a strong and confident team like Schalke, especially because Wolfsburg are without several key men:
- - André Schürrle wasn't a part of the final training ahead of the game because of on-going adductor problems and will most likely not feature.
- - Christian Träsch caught the flu and will not be able to play.
- - Luiz Gustavo is suspended for one game because of his 5th yellow card.
- - Maximilian Arnold was also not a part of the final training and remains questionable for the game.
Schalke remain optimistic
Andre Breitenreiter's team remains optimistic after the impressive win against SV Darmstadt 98 last week. Schalke showed a good reaction after the defeat to Werder Bremen and want to continue like that. The Blues are in a good position and have the chance to climb up even further in the table if Hertha BSC and Bayer Leverkusen lose. The fact that Die Knappen have won all their last five home clashes versus VfL Wolfsburg plays in their favour as well.
Dennis Aogo and Joel Matip will be available for the game against Wolfsburg. The defenders have both been cleared to play again after minor injuries. Other than that nothing has changed and they don't need to compensate for any new injuries.
Julian Draxler returns "home"
Former Schalke player Julian Draxler will return "home" for the very first time after his last-minute move to Wolfsburg. The talented midfielder said that he "prepares for the worst" and expects "55,000 out of 60,000 people to be against him [Draxler]." The 22-year-old German International completed his move from Gelsenkirchen to Wolfsburg last August for a record-fee of €36m. Draxler was Hecking's desired player after Kevin de Bruyne moved to Manchester City.
Pre-match comments
Wolfsburg's head coach Dieter Hecking wants to regain "confidence" and "self-assurance" and is aware of the team's problems. In the press conference ahead of the game Hecking mentioned that Wolfsburg have to "make use of their chances" because "every goal helps you regain confidence and self-assurance." He also said that, whenever something throws you back, you have "to fight it" and "show strength." Hecking believes the game against Schalke is a great chance to show a reaction.
Schalke's head coach, Andre Breitenreiter, who used to play for VfL Wolfsburg during his career, doesn't want to underestimate the Wolves and says it's normal for teams to struggle and that it "happens to every club eventually."
He believes that Wolfsburg are an "outstanding team" who are part of the last 16 in the Champions League for a reason. But his team "trained well" and is "ready." The 42-year-old says it's important that his team manages to frustrate Wolfsburg players and "take away their desire to play football during the game".