Pre-Match Report
Finishing the year in Wolfsburg – "Expect us to be more stable"
In the table, both clubs are almost level: BVB are eighth on 22 points – one more than Wolfsburg in tenth place. With a victory, the Black & Yellows can increase that lead, while a defeat would see The Wolves leapfrog BVB in the table. In terms of personnel, BVB coach Nuri Sahin has more options than the last away game in Wolfsburg: seven players were missing for that cup match at the end of October. In the second meeting of the sides this season, the coach will have to make do without Niklas Süle and Filippo Mane due to injury. Meanwhile, Julian Brandt and Waldemar Anton are back in team training after injuries. Yan Couto, who had to be replaced against Hoffenheim last weekend, also trained with the squad. Julian Ryerson missed that game, but he is back in training, building up his fitness levels. "We want to wait and see how he reacts to this load, and then we will make a decision," said Sahin, casting some doubt over whether the full-back will be part of the team.
Three draws
The home game against Hoffenheim was the third 1-1 draw in a row for the Black & Yellows, after BVB had also shared points at home against Munich and away in Mönchengladbach. VfL lost in Freiburg last weekend after going on a run of three Bundesliga wins in a row. "After the cup game, they have really stabilised in terms of results, and have picked up a lot of points. When it comes to Ralph Hasenhüttl, you know what to expect. The team has a clear signature," said Sahin. "Now we are travelling with more players and want to bring home the win."
In the first half of the season, "we saw time and again how [well] things can go. But we also had many setbacks. I expect my team and I to be more stable and consistent," said the head coach. "We can't be content with being in eighth place in the table."
The Black & Yellows have won ten of their last twelve Bundesliga matches against Wolfsburg and are looking for another win on Sunday. "The fact is that we have 22 points and that these three points would really do us good. We will do everything we can to get them," said Sahin, before going into the winter break on Sunday evening.
Christina Reinke