German World Cup hero Schuerrle sees chance of rebuilding reputation

Reigning German Cup winner VfL Wolfsburg's duel this Tuesday with the Belgian side KAA Gent in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 round is regarded as one of the most important match in the club's history.

Not only the club itself could take a big step forward to reach the quarterfinal for the first time. On the international stage, a man could return to spotlight after long being on the sidelines. It's Andre Schuerrle, one of Germany's 2014 World Cup winners.

For several months, the striker had been viewed as a kind of "one hit wonder" after being the man giving a decisive pass that led to German ecstasy when Mario Goetze scored the winner in the 2014 World Cup final.

After the fairy tale moment, Schuerrle lost ground control on the pitch and in his career. Now the 25-year-old seems to have found the chance to have his way back. It might sound premature, but the last two league games and the Champions League first leg against Gent (Wolfsburg wins in 3-2) seem to have helped Schuerrle break down a wall of frustration.

In Wolfsburg's 4-0 away win in Hannover, Schuerrle scored a hat-trick, and then in beating Moenchengladbach 2-1, Schuerrle supplied an assist, and in the Champions League first leg versus Gent, Schuerrle also played a vital part.

For Wolfsburg, it could mean they made no mistake after all by signing Schuerrle from Chelsea for 32 million euros in January 2015. For Schuerrle, it means he is back on a candidate list for the German national team when head coach Joachim Loew is to name his squad for Euro 2016 on June 10, about 100 days before the tournament kicks off.

"It is extremely important to show Loew and the national team that I'm still alive and playing in form. I'm sure it'll be noticed," said Schuerrle. "If you score three goals, it helps in your confidence and your soul."

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking is just as happy as his striker. "I admit we did have our doubts. But playing like that, Andre can be a vital part of our team and help us as we expected. A hard time lies behind Andre."

So far, Schuerrle is part of a team that has been desperately searching for consistency. Schuerrle coming from Chelsea was not in full confidence in Bundesliga as his time in the English Premier League was not overwhelmingly happy. It took some time for him to fit into the German club and his development at Wolfsburg does not seem to be finished yet.

Wolfsburg is currently playing a system that Schuerrle seems to be happy with. With a diamond in midfield, the team changes positions constantly up front in attacking. Beforehand Schuerrle was often only a man for the bench, having scored just one goal in 33 appearances. Now Schuerrle and the team started to play their game with great determination and team spirit.

To reach the next round in the Champions League could help them leap forward. Besides that the next round would earn the club several millions euros. Schuerrle would be back in the international football stage as well. To do so, it definitely helps to remember his three goals in Hannover and that's not the first time he has scored a hat-trick.

In 2013, he scored three for Germany against Sweden (5-3), 2014 three for Chelsea against Fulham (3-1) and in 2015 three for his country against Gibraltar (7-0).

It's reasonable enough to say the second leg is a vital game for Wolfsburg and the resurging Schuerrle. "We can't express what it would mean for the club if we go through," said Wolfsburg CEO Klaus Allofs. "It's a big challenge as we know the mental quality of a team like Gent."

Everyone in Wolfsburg has not forgotten the first leg in Gent when they almost threw the win away despite leading 3-0 in the middle of the match. Endit