The fans of Die Wolfe toil hard in their Volkswagen plant, and it is about time the team reflected the town’s hard working attitude. Not since their electrifying victory over Werder Bremen, to seal the 2008/09 Bundesliga has Wolfsburg seen such success.
Taking out their maiden domestic title set Wolfsburg on the path to greatness – they just took a few extra years to realise it. Now the Wolves are just one point away from equalling the total they accumulated in their break-out season. A win against Koln would be preferred, it would secure the runners-up position and cap-off a truly great season for a young team.
In the 2008/09 the Wolves were heavily reliant on a trio of players up-front, between Edin Dzeko and Grafite and their astonishing 54 goals was Zvjezdan Misimovic with seven goals 20 assists. The team has struggled to find a forward who is able to consistently score and dominate during games like Dzeko. Nowadays. Dieter Hecking’s side produce a more collective effort. Rather than being heavily reliant on one standout forward, they have managed to share the workload with a plethora of attacking talent at their hands.
Kevin De Bruyne is still their standout star, with 10 goals 20 assists, eerily similar of Misimovic’s play, providing first-class service to the spread of Wolfsburg goal threats. The departure of Ivica Olic left Bas Dost filling the boots up-front, and the sheer tenacity of the large Dutchman has lead to him hitting the back of the net 16 times in 2015. The Wolves then rely on a variety of players for the rest of their goals – Daniel Caliguiri (seven), Naldo (seven), Ricardo Rodriguez (six) as well as Ivan Perisic and Maximillian Arnold (four each). This spread of potential goal threats has left opposing teams with a headache when trying to shut the Wolves down. Add to the mix Max Kruse, pinched from Monchegladbach, and Andre Schurrle, who will no doubt be beginning to adjust to his new home, and there are all the makings for a squad that is truly capable of great things.
Much of this talent had gone to waste in previous seasons, even more accomplished managers that Hecking had failed to make use of a rich Wolves squad. Steve McClaren was perhaps the most indicative of the past failures, a big name manager failing to take control of a mishap outfit. Enter Dieter Hecking, not a household coaching name. In fact, Dieter Hecking was once on the pathway to becoming a policeman. Perhaps this enforcer like attitude has taken the reins of a a charging Wolves chariot desperate for success. The squad has made a backbone of hard-work and determination their centre-piece for this seasons success.
However, for all their hard-work, for all their talent, in a campaign where they may surpass their all time Bundesliga points record, the wolves may leave empty-handed. Sure Champions league football is a big step for a developing club, but every player and fan is looking towards the DFB-Pokal against Dortmund, eager to add to a relatively empty trophy case.
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Last weekend the Wolves got the best of Dortmund, but do not expect the cup tie to be anywhere near as friendly. In all senses of the word it will be a war, Their opponents have experience, they have a history of competitive finals football, and to add a further spark they are farewelling the emphatic leader Jurgen Klopp . Dortmund could not have more to play for.
Yet the Wolves should be focused on being just as passionate and desperate to win. They need to prove themselves on the world scene, send a message to their opponents next year that they are a team to be reckoned with, as well as playing for their dearly departed teammate Junior Malanda.
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