Football Season Guide

Wolfsburg had a very good season last year and it will take some topping. But Dieter Hecking and his squad will do their best at the start of a very challenging year. Their second place in the table was more than deserved and after a very strong second half to the season they will feel there is the potential in the squad to go one better. But their league form will also be affected by participation in the Champions League from which the target will be to get out of their group. Their Europa League run from last season showed that they have the ability to do well in such competitions but compared to many of the bigger sides in the Champions League they lack experience. The game will also be more demanding and they could find themselves stretched over the course of the season. However overall there is good depth in the squad and Hecking has worked to improve them even further over the break. Max Kruse arrives from Borussia Mönchengladbach and provides goals and assists in attack. He will be battling it out with Bas Dost to be their lone striker at the top of a 4-2-3-1 formation. Koen Casteels also joins up with the team he signed for in January 2015, though he spent the rest of last season on loan with Werder Bremen. Brother of left back Ricardo Rodriguez, Francisco has also joined from Zürich to give another option on the wings. There is also the potential for another defender to be added before the transfer window closes as they want to improve their options in that area. In contrast no important players have left so far. However there are constant transfer rumours about star man Kevin de Bruyne leaving to the Premier League with at least a couple of sides said to be interested in his signature. Whether he stays or goes could have a big impact on their season. Another big name signing from last term, Andre Schürrle will also hope to justify his huge price tag after being underwhelming in the second round of matches last season. But should those two key attacking players do well then there is huge potential in the squad as they have a solid base at the back to build from. They were defensively one of the better sides in the league last season and there is no reason that should change. Their home form was also excellent as they went unbeaten in the league in front of their own fans and Hecking will hope to continue that trend by staying true to the attacking brand of football they played last season. Another top four finish is the minimum expected from Wolfsburg this season with a strong showing in the Champions League also being targeted. A defence of their DFB Pokal win from last term will not be as important to the club.