Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Bundesliga Game
Those looking forward to seeing the Bundesliga's top-two teams meet in the second round of the campaign will not have long to wait. Friday sees leaders Bayern Munich visit second-placed Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena in the first match of the German league's spring campaign.
Bayern steamrolled almost all their opponents in the fall, conceding just four goals and dropping six points while going undefeated to open a record 11-point lead atop the table. A win away to Wolfsburg would put ribbon on a Bundesliga title that seems to be all but wrapped up with half the season still left to be played.
The Lower Saxons face very steep odds, but if they manage to overcome their opponents to pull within eight points, they will still have some hope. Dieter Hecking's men will still need plenty of help from the rest of the league if they are to put up a fight but would receive a huge confidence boost if they take down Bayern.
Ahead of Bayern and Wolfsburg's highly anticipated encounter, B/R takes a look at the key issues surrounding the match. Click "Begin Slideshow" for our top picks.
Is De Bruyne Really World Class?
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In Kicker's semiannual ranking of Bundesliga players, Kevin De Bruyne was the only attacking midfielder labeled "world class." Below him were Mario Gotze and Roberto Firmino, players listed as "international class."
The Kicker rankings are well respected in Germany for their objectivity in judging a player based on form and not reputation, as well as being rather non-sensationalist, and very few players make the world-class grade. But they are always based on the preceding six months. This January, De Bruyne was ranked as world class for the first time. But whether he can sustain his current level of performance in the long term is still unclear.
The 23-year-old gave a whopping 10 assists in the Bundesliga during the first half of the season—three more than any other player. However, De Bruyne was unable to make the difference for Wolfsburg in their league opener with Bayern in August, comfortably his biggest test of the season. The Belgian will have a second chance on Friday; if he can lead Wolfsburg to victory, he'll certainly deserve the world-class label.
Are Jung and Knoche Truly Germany Internationals in the Making?
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Slowly but surely over the past few years, Wolfsburg have developed a formidable back line. In Naldo, they acquired a proven Bundesliga player. Ricardo Rodriguez was signed as a superstar in the making and has since become one of Europe's most coveted left-backs.
The other two factors in the Lower Saxony side's back four are Sebastian Jung and Robin Knoche, the somewhat less established players. The former has twice been called up to the Germany national team in his career, most recently last May.
Despite being left out of Joachim Low's squad in recent months, he must remain a contender for the vacancy on the right side of Germany's defense left by Philipp Lahm after last summer's World Cup. It's games such as Friday's that can really catch the trainer's eye.
Similarly, the Bayern match will be crucial for Knoche. The 22-year-old has made huge progress this season, even earning his first nomination to the Germany national team in November. If he is to retain that spot, Friday could be pivotal.
Wolfsburg's defense has stood strong this season, conceding an average of exactly one goal per game. Only Gladbach and Bayern boast a better defensive record than Wolfsburg, who have two players of known quality at the back in Rodriguez and Naldo. The other two, Knoche and Jung, seem to be well on their way and could make a real statement on Friday.
Pep Guardiola's Midfield Selection
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Bayern entered the 2014-15 season with a squad stacked with superstar midfielders. At some point, there was bound to be a headache for Pep Guardiola in selecting the most appropriate combination available to him.
Although Bayern entered the winter break with a lengthy list of injured midfielders, the trainer will have to choose from the likes of Xabi Alonso, Bastian Schweinsteiger, David Alaba, Sebastian Rode, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller to fill the three available central-midfield roles in his team.
If the trainer chooses an aggressive approach, one of or both Gotze and Muller behind a main striker would be his best bet. If he's more conservative, any combination of the others would be appropriate.
Guardiola has to show enough respect for Wolfsburg not to get caught on the counterattack but may need to show some aggression and take a risk in order to drive through the midfield to claim three points. The hosts' midfield will be much a more straightforward call. For Guardiola, the options are many and will play a key role in how the game is played.
Bayern Meet Their Past
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Perhaps the most interesting narrative of Friday's match will be Bayern facing off against players of their past. Five years ago, Ivica Olic was a huge asset to Bayern's forward line, starting ahead of Mario Gomez as the lone striker. At the time, Luiz Gustavo was a key utility player, both in midfield and defense.
Olic and Gustavo were fan favorites at the Allianz Arena, the pair having gained notoriety for giving everything for Bayern's cause. But since then, they've moved along.
The Croat is, at 35, an aging player but has nonetheless shown on many occasions he's still capable of a brilliant burst of quality. His goal against Bayern in the first round was breathtaking. It should be noted, however, that a last-minute transfer of the striker to Hamburg is entirely possible according to Hamburger Morgenpost. But as of the publication of this article, the forward remains in contention to face Bayern.
As for Gustavo, although no longer at a top European club, the Brazilian is in the prime of his career. He's taken on a leadership role at Wolfsburg and played every minute of every match for Brazil in the World Cup prior to the hosts' elimination.
Bayern may have progressed since the departures of Olic and Gustavo, but the Wolfsburg duo will be motivated to prove that they were underrated before leaving the Munich giants.
Wolfsburg's Higher Cause
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Wolfsburg suffered a bitter blow over the winter break when Junior Malanda died tragically in a car accident on January 10.
The 20-year-old was one of Europe's best young talents and a huge asset to the Wolfsburg midfield. And now there will be a gap in the Lower Saxony side as they carry on with their Bundesliga campaign.
A player's death can have a big impact on a club. Hannover, for example, narrowly avoided relegation in 2010 after the loss of Robert Enke the previous fall. On the other hand, Wolfsburg may feel a higher purpose and that they owe the season to Malanda, so they may be spurred on by the responsibility of playing for him.
It's an enormous ask in any situation, and the Bayern match will be their first competitive fixture following Malanda's death. There really is no telling how Wolfsburg will react.
