Everton vs. Wolfsburg: Key Issues That Will Shape Europa League Clash
Everton return to Europe on Thursday night after a four-season absence, hosting Wolfsburg in the Europa League.
This will be the Toffees' 72nd European fixture and the club are unbeaten in seven ties against German opposition, though this will be a first meeting with the Bundesliga side.
Roberto Martinez saw his squad repair a slow start to the season with a 2-0 win at West Brom on Saturday, taking them to five points from four Premier League games.
After looking impressive in an opening-day loss to Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg have endured a similarly sluggish start in the Bundesliga, claiming just two points from three games. Dieter Hecking's side also face an important clash with Bayer Leverkusen just four days after this game.
Here's a look at some of the factors set to influence this tie.
Everton's Confidence in Defence
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Everton's defence started the season in uncharacteristically porous fashion, leaking 10 goals in their first three games. In terms of goals conceded, that equalled the worst ever start to a season in both the club's and the Premier League's history.
The 2-0 win over West Brom has provided temporary relief, but Everton still appeared hesitant and nervous at various stages of that game. Phil Jagielka was also required to make 18 clearances, the second-most of any defender in a Premier League game this season, suggesting the back four remain overworked.
Chelsea inflicted the deepest defensive scars in those first three games, repeatedly scything through the Toffees during a 6-3 mauling. Cesc Fabregas practically toyed with Martinez's defenders, dissecting a high line with flurry of inventive passes through to Diego Costa.
In Kevin De Bruyne, Wolfsburg have a player of similar creative ability, adept at threading passes through a defensive line. He predominately plays on the left but will drift in behind the striker and ask further questions of an anxious defence.
How Everton Cope with Wolfsburg's Left Side
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Wolfsburg are a side that attack down the flanks. Statistically, Hecking's squad have favoured the right this season, but their main quality—and major threat to Everton—comes from the left.
In Ricardo Rodriguez, the German side possess one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe. At 22, the Switzerland international is a key source of creativity, and he dominated most attacking statistics among defenders last season.
Remarkably, Rodriguez contributed the most assists (nine), chances (76) and successful dribbles (88) of any defender in the Bundesliga in 2013-14, per WhoScored.com. He also scored the joint-most goals and delivered the most crosses.
Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines led the Premier League in several attacking categories among defenders but even their impressive returns are surpassed by Rodriguez:
| Leading Attacking Stats (Defenders Only) 2013-14 | ||
| Most: | Premier League | Bundesliga |
| Key Passes | 49—Baines | 76—Rodriguez |
| Succ. Dribbles | 64—Coleman | 88—Rodriguez |
| Assists | 6—Kolarov | 9—Rodriguez |
| Crosses | 229—Baines | 185—Rodriguez |
| Goals | 7—Skrtel | 5—Rodriguez |
Ahead of the left-back will most likely be De Bruyne, as previously mentioned, and this pairing will provide a huge threat to Everton's right-hand side. In fact, De Bruyne and Rodriguez have already created 18 of Wolfsburg's 37 chances (49 per cent) this season.
Given Martinez's reluctance to place defensive responsibility on his wingers, this is an area Wolfsburg will look to strike.
Can Everton's Attack Remain as Clinical?
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Everton's defensive deficiencies have masked some impressive recent form in attack: four games into the Premier League season and only Chelsea have scored more goals than the Toffees' nine.
This attacking proficiency stretches further back than just the past few games, with Martinez's side scoring two or more goals in 13 of their past 15 games. If the Toffees can repair their recent defensive struggles, this form should bring instant success.
However, examining just this season's evidence, these numbers can appear slightly misleading. Everton haven't exactly been a consistent attacking force of late, more so a lethally clinical one.
Despite a bloated goal tally, Everton are midtable in terms of their average shots on goal in the Premier League—joint 10th for shots per game (12.3) and joint ninth for shots on target per game (four)—which isn't especially fearsome.
The fact the Toffees' nine goals have come from just 16 shots on target is a ruthless, but not necessarily sustainable return.
Of course, while this consistency lasts, it's also a match-winning trait and something Martinez will hope to prolong for as long as possible.
How Seriously Both Sides Take the Europa League
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Finally, a key to Thursday's game will be exactly how much the two sides embrace the Europa League.
With a Champions League place at stake for the winner—as well as some much-coveted silverware—there should be substantial importance placed on this season's competition.
That said, Wolfsburg have a crunch Bundesliga game on Sunday and Everton will been keen to be at full strength for their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, which might prompt the odd change.
With the sides just three and four games into their respective league campaigns, anything more than a couple of tactical tweaks seems unnecessary. Any form of mass reshuffle by one side would instantly surrender the initiative.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
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