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VfL Wolfsburg: Like phoenix out of ashes

Xinhua, November 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

A few weeks ago, the 2015 German Cup winner and 2014/2015 league runner-up Val Wolfsburg seemed to descending on its way to mediocrity. The self-styled No. 2 in German football were suffering from the financial problems of club owner "Volkswagen" .

On the pitch, a football crisis seemed to be picking up speed as the team was beaten 5-1 in the league and 3-1 in the cup by Bayern Munich and lost ground in the Bundesliga after losing 2-0 to Borussia Moenchengladbach. They were in danger of slipping out of the top three places which guarantee a Champions League berth.

Now things seem to have changed, or are at least back on track. Wolfsburg is back like a phoenix out of the ashes. They are currently third in the championship after a narrow 2-1 victory over fellow Champions League participant Bayer Leverkusen. And now their Champions League campaign could well be at another important turning point.

All of a sudden, the fourth group match in Group B of the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven this Tuesday evening appears to be crucial for Wolfsburg. It may open doors into a better future. Reaching the round of the last 16 is assumed to be worth six million euros.

The team coached by Dieter Hecking has regained its fighting spirit in the crisis and is eager to prove they can overcome problems they have been facing. In the winter break, Wolfsburg's general manager, the former German international Klaus Allofs (58) is optimistic of signing the FC Basel's talented 18-year old striker Breel Embolo for an alleged sum of up to 30 million euros.

Signing Embolo would be the first transfer without the direct help of club owner Volkswagen. After Wolfsburg sold Belgian striker Kevin de Bruyne (75 million euros to Manchester City) and Ivan Perisic (16 million to Inter Milan) the coffers are well full. But many European top clubs are also keeping an eye on the young Swiss striker.

Wolfsburg is determined to play all cards so that they appear an attractive place to move to. After beating CSKA Moscow (1-0) and PSV Eindhoven (2-0 at home) and only narrowly losing at Manchester United (2-1), they seem to have found balance in their game for future challenges.

Stars like Max Kruse (12 million euros from Borussia Moenchengladbach), Andre Schuerrle (36 million from Chelsea), Julian Draxler (36 million from FC Schalke 04) and Dutch striker Bas Dost have accepted the strategy of coach Hecking to rotate and change the starting eleven. Meaning: One of the stars, most are members of the German national team, will be on the bench watching the kick-off.

Against Eindhoven, Kruse is out injured meaning no Wolfsburg star has to start sitting on the bench. Draxler will replace Kruse so Wolfsburg does not have to change their lately successful system. As the second striker (normally Kruse) is positioned behind target-striker Dost, the system gives Wolfsburg's greater incisiveness.

At present Hecking seems to be happy with his stars accepting the clubs plans to focus all on the task to catch up in the Bundesliga and use the big chance to advance to the next round in the Champions League.

"It would be a great step to win the game in Eindhoven," said Allofs. Nine points would help to clinch first place in their group, ahead of the big favorite Manchester United who they still have to play along with Moscow. A third victory would also secure Wolfsburg`s participation in an international competition as it would mean they would finish in at least third to guarantee themselves a place in the Euro League. But Wolfsburg at present is far from giving up the big chance to take the big step.

"We are strong enough to beat Eindhoven. I feel we can travel to the Netherlands with the aim of winning," said Wolfsburg striker Andre Schuerrle. Julian Draxler is convinced that "there are more games awaiting us." He made sure everybody know he was talking about more Champions League games.

Club boss Allofs is optimistic as well but said: "We have to be aware that we might also lose ground if we don' t win at least one point least but of course our goal is to return with three points. We know a big step can be made by us." Endi