(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Wolfsburg can take a massive step towards the knock-out phase of the Champions League by winning away to CSKA Moscow today- but will remember failing in Russia in a similar situation the last time they played with Europe's elite.
The hardy souls who braved the Moscow winter in November 2009 saw Wolfsburg's Champions League ambitions take a fatal blow from CSKA in the Luzhniki Stadium. While a draw would have guaranteed progress from the group stage, Wolfsburg lost 2-1 on the penultimate match-day and were then eliminated two weeks later.
They will be anxious to avoid a repeat this time in the Group B clash which could define their campaign. With another rival, PSV Eindhoven, facing a hard trip to leaders Manchester United, victory would put them in a strong position for a place in the knock-out phase.
United top the group on seven points while CSKA are bottom on four. Wolfsburg and PSV are tied on six with the head-to-head between the teams also even as both won their home match with the other 2-0.
Wolfsburg are third in the Bundesliga and brushed aside previous poor performances with a thumping of Werder Bremen at the weekend. "When you win 6-0, there is very little to criticize," coach Dieter Hecking said. "(Sport director) Klaus Allofs and I wanted to find the right point in time to address the emotionless displays in Eindhoven and Mainz.
"Something which I found very positive was how the team got together without the presence of those sportingly responsible. Apparently we, and the players, found the right words."
Only goalkeeper Diego Benaglio and full-back Marcel Schaefer remain in Wolfsburg's squad from their ill-fated 2009 trip to CSKA. Schaefer has been reduced to back-up for Ricardo Rodriguez in recent years but returned to the side against Bremen as the Swiss international sat out following a family bereavement. "I think I proved that I can always be relied upon. That's something I'm very happy about," Schaefer said.
The 31-year-old will retain his place against CSKA as Rodriguez will not travel to Moscow while midfielder Luiz Gustavo is also out with an injury sustained against Bremen. But that will not stop Wolfsburg turning up in bullish mood having rediscovered their scoring touch."
"Now we can go into the Champions League game in Moscow very confidently, although we are very well aware that it is a completely different game," Hecking said.
After the terrorist attacks in Paris and the threat which caused Germany's friendly with the Netherlands in Hanover to be cancelled, the players are aware that they must focus on sport even when there is extra tension in travelling. "It is a little bit in the back of your head," Wolfsburg's Germany international Julian Draxler, who was in Paris during the attacks, said. "There are nicer things than such a week but you have to be able to handle it. I don't fear that something could happen. I think you should not hide and or always think of the worst. Life must go on."
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