Unfortunately the streak had to end.
It was good while it lasted though, as VfL Wolfsburg looked like they were going to give Bayern Munich a run for their money in the Bundesliga this season. They still can, in the midst of Borussia Dortmund and Schalke’s struggles, and while Monchengladbach as well as Bayer Leverkusen yo-yo up and down the top 10.
It was only the Wolves’ 3rd league loss of the season, and they remain one of 4 clubs still unbeaten at home besides Bayern, Leverkusen and Schalke. Wolfsburg also, have the 2nd best offence in the league currently, next to leaders Bayern. But away from home, they’ve scored more goals than the Bavarian giants or even Dortmund. Before the loss to Schalke over the weekend, they kept a clean sheet in 3 straight matches and in 4 out of their 6 wins. Lest we forget they did win the league title not too long ago in 2009.
Die Wolfe finished 2 points ahead of Bayern that season, 5 points more than VfB Stuttgart in 3rd. Their Brazilian frontman Grafite finished the season as top scorer. They also had the man with the most assist in the league, Zvjedan Misimovic. Fast forward 5 years later, only 2 players remain in the current Wolfsburg squad from that league title winning team – current captain and first choice goalkeeper Diego Benaglio as well as wingback Marcel Schafer.
However, since then Wolfsburg have failed to live up to that high. They rarely finished in the top 5 or qualified for Europe thereafter. Last season they managed a 5th place finish which comes with qualification for the UEFA Europa League. It was their best placement since the triumphant 2008/09 season.
This could all boil down to the players assembled by current boss Dieter Hecking. Or the fact that Dortmund, Schalke and Leverkusen are not playing at their fullest potential so far. Or a bit of both.
Hecking was brought in during the 2012 winter break from Nurnberg to replace the man who guided Wolfsburg to the title, Felix Magath on his 2nd stint in charge. The ex Hannover midfielder kicked off his managerial career in the Bundesliga with his former club but could only steer them to mid-table security during his tenure. Following that, his first task at Nurnberg saw him save the club from relegation. Subsequently his team ended up 6th and 10th in respective seasons, their best since promotion from the 2nd tier. Then, the move to Wolfsburg.
Last season’s performance is a testament of what this Wolfsburg side is capable of with Hecking in charge. They’re improving the flaws of 2013/14 which resulted in finishing 5th. And one of them was at the back. They conceded the highest number of goals among the top 5 teams. This time around, they’ve only let in an average of 1 goal per game.
In addition, they made Kevin De Bruyne’s move a permanent one. They also brought in Arsenal-reject Nicklas Bendtner, Aaron Hunt and Atletico Madrid’s Josuha Guilavogui to add depth in midfield and at the front. These have all proven to be inspired buys, especially with De Bruyne who has now notched 9 assists in the Bundesliga for a total of 12 this season (including Europe), tied only with Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas among the top 4 European leagues.
Their top scorer is former Bayern man Ivica Olic, but there’s been a fair contribution from midfield with Daniel Caligiuri, Ivan Perisic and new boy Hunt chipping in a few. If there’s one area they could boost, it is at the front. Olic has scored 5 in the league so far but he is no spring chicken at 35 years young. Hopefully, with Bendtner opening his domestic account for the season and finally returning to some form, there will be more goals from him. He was never a 20-goal a season striker even when he was with the Gunners. His highest tally was 8 goals in 25 starts with Sunderland in the 2011/12 season. Perhaps he has not been given a fair chance then? Many believe this may be the 26 year old’s last chance to prove himself.
Wolfsburg have to play 3 top 10 teams next, and Borussia Dortmund before the winter break. Despite their current position of 16th, Jurgen Klopp’s men should not to be taken lightly. Hecking has not been entirely successful when it comes to maneuvering past top teams, as showcased by their performance against Schalke and the loss to Bayern at the start of the season. First up, they have to get back to winning ways against 3rd place Gladbach this weekend, before travelling to Hannover. They’re also still seriously in contention in Europe.
Not many are expecting them to win the Bundesliga this season, at the rate Bayern is going. But stranger things have happened. Wolfsburg are in with a chance to qualify automatically for the Champions League if they continue in this rich vein. Whatever happens till May, it is simply nice to matter once again in the league.
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