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Wolfsburg face future-deciding duel with Manchester United

Xinhua, December 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

VfL Wolfsburg face their game of the year against Manchester United in the 2015/16 Champions League Group B.

   Looking at the Group B standings, the last match day will be a thriller. But for Wolfsburg, it is a match that for several reasons could decide the club's short term future.  

   Beating Man Utd (or coming away with a least a point) would give Wolfsburg a place in the last 16 of Europe's most important club competition. And more: It would to a certain extent secure the club's financial future. For the club owner, the German car manufacturer Volkswagen, it would be a signal that it could well be worthwhile continuing to support the club despite the deep crisis the company finds itself in after emissions scandal. 

   So German fans hope Wolfsburg (9 points) is ready to spring a big surprise against the big favorite ManU (8 points). 

   A loss would mean elimination from the Champions League should third-placed PSV Eindhoven (7 points) win their last match against CSKA Moscow (4 points). Wolfsburg would then find themselves in the Europa League which does not come anywhere near the worldwide reputation of the Champions League (regarding price-money and marketing-values). The club would lose a lot of their standing in international football which in turn dampen the owner's support. 

   Last weekend, the 2015 German Cup winner Wolfsburg lost a vital game to determine the destination of the "trophy" for Germany's No. 2. After head coach Dieter Hecking's team finished the 2014/2015 season second in the Bundesliga and cup winners, club officials and fans alike were hoping they had overtaken 2013 Champions League finalist Borussia Dortmund. But after their rivals, who are currently lying second in the league, beat them 2-1 last weekend, Wolfsburg has duly dropped down to fifth and out of the placings to qualify for next season's Champions League. 

   It looks like as if expectations have slowed down the club's efforts to become the No. 2 in German football, and is having an adverse effect of the team building done by coach Hecking and club CEO Klaus Allofs. 

   In 2009, when Wolfsburg won the German championship, the club failed to take advantage of the remarkable success to move on further up the tree. Since then Wolfsburg's attempts to return to the top of the German pile have been unsuccessful. Now, facing Manchester and German national team captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, Wolfsburg is again at a vital point in their development. 

   Wolfsburg's fans are now hoping the club can avoid a fatal deja vu like in December 2009 when it lost its last group match against Manchester United 3-1 and ended up down in third in the group. After that, the club drifted downwards towards international insignificance and lost contact with the Bundesliga top dogs. To remain a part of football's creme de la creme in 2015 would make things easier and would give them the chance to get back on track in the winter break in Germany. 

   After Kevin de Bruyne left for Manchester City (80 million euros), Wolfsburg has so far failed in its attempt to build a new team around the trio of Andre Schuerrle, Max Kruse and Julian Draxler. Every time the team seemed to be moving forwards, Wolfsburg' s squad lost control and lacked the necessary "winning mentality" (CEO Klaus Allofs).

   "Everyone has to accept that it is essential to give 100 percent in every game," said Allofs. In recent weeks, Allofs has got the impression  "that the team lacks what it takes to be a top team. If we can't manage to act like a top team, we will end up in the Bundesliga between position four and eight."  

   As far as the Champions League and the duel against Manchester United is concerned, things seem to be clear, either the team can focus on their skills and play as a team or the club will face an uncertain future. For club CEO Klaus Allofs one thing seems to be clear: "It does not make sense to go for a draw. It's something you can't afford to do against a team like Manchester."

   Before Wolfsburg lost their league game against Dortmund, the team had gone 29 games undefeated at home. Now it is vital they start off a new winning streak.  Endi