This will be the first time in history that Wolfsburg play the quarter-final of the Champions League.
After Leverkusen trashed Wolfsburg in Bundesliga round 28, Wolfsburg has a clash with even tougher opponent – Real Madrid. On the way to this historical match they defeated Genk 4-2 on aggregate, Draxler scoring two goals. Midfielder Josuha Guilavogui said that qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League has given them a lot of motivation and enthusiasm. On the other hand Wolfsburg Brazilian Dante said that they have only 2% chance of eliminating Real Madrid.
He said: “We have no experience in this tournament, for many of our players is the first time contesting the Champions. In this Real Madrid it is well above us. They won the Champions League two seasons ago, they know how to deal with these meetings . I think our options are 2%. But we will fight until the end.”
Their sport director Klaus Allofs said that they are not performing the same in the Champions League and in the Bundesliga, and said that this match is extraordinary chance to present theirs true face and give 100 % of their skills, and he believes that they will play much better than in Leverkusen. Their hopes are based on a collective effort with focus on how to stop Cristiano Ronaldo who scored eight goals in last four Champions League matches and is the top scorer in the Champions League with 13 goals.
Real Madrid is coming to Wolfsburg after a great victory in “El Clasico” last week. They defeated Barcelona after their player Sergio Ramos was sent off and they were losing 1-0 , goals scored by Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. This victory can be crucial for the rest of the season because this match showed that they can play against and beat the biggest team in Europa. Real Madrid aim for sixth consecutive semi-finals in CL. In the round of 16 they defeated Roma 4-0 on aggregate. The German international Toni Kroos warned his teammates that they should not underestimate Wolfsburg.
Match Facts
- Wolfsburg’s last knockout encounter with a Spanish club saw them eliminate Villarreal in the 2009/10 Europa League round of 32 (6-3 on aggregate).
- Real Madrid have progressed in each of their last four Champions League knockout encounters with German clubs. Borussia Dortmund were the last German side to eliminate the Merengues, back in the 2012/13 semi-finals.
- Wolfsburg have won their last four Champions League games, their best ever run in the competition. Only Real Madrid are currently on a longer streak (5).
- Keylor Navas has yet to concede a goal in the Champions League. He’s played 720 minutes and made 21 saves. He’s only 133 minutes away from equaling Jens Lehmann’s record in the competition (853 mins).
- Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in as many Champions League games against German opposition.
Team News
Dieter Hecking can not count on Bendtner, Jung. Naldo and Caliguri are still doubtful.
Zinadine Zidane takes to Germany all available players except Varane , who is injured.
Possible lineups
Vfl Wolfsburg : Benaglio, Trasch, Knoche, Dante, Rodriguez, Guilavogui, Gustavo, Arnold, Draxler, Schurrle, Kruse.
Real Madrid: Navas, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema.
From : SS.com
