On Saturday, VfB will aim to follow up directly at VfL Wolfsburg. Although the hosts have only won once, they delivered strong performances in their games. Before the away match, we spoke to Michael Theuerkauf, a Wolfsburg expert and sports editor at the Braunschweiger Zeitung.
With the Red Stripe: Hello Micha, and thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. VfL Wolfsburg has started the season with only one win in four games, but they faced Munich, Frankfurt, and Leverkusen, losing narrowly. How do you assess their start to the season?
Micha: If you only look at the points, the start is obviously poor. But the performances, especially against Bayern and in Leverkusen, were really good. The match against Frankfurt could have gone differently. If VfL wants to compete for “Europe,” they have to win home games against direct competitors like Frankfurt. I wouldn’t call the start bad, but it certainly could have been much better.
Last season, Wolfsburg finished in 13th place after Ralph Hasenhüttl took over from Niko Kovač in March. That certainly doesn’t meet the expectations of the club or its owner, Volkswagen, nor did 8th and 12th place finishes in the years prior, right?
The expectations are definitely higher, but football always requires a bit of luck — and VfL often lacked that in close games in the past. The fact that there were relegation fears again last year doesn’t sit well with either “Mother VW” or “Daughter VfL.” That’s undeniable.
How do you evaluate Hasenhüttl’s work so far? What does he do differently compared to Kovač?
I really like the way Ralph Hasenhüttl has his team play. This high pressing, which his players execute with a lot of risk, is so intense. It’s really full-on, and when they win the ball, they move toward the opponent’s goal with just a few passes. Kovač attacked later and placed more emphasis on controlling the game, which often made it seem too passive for the spectators. That’s something you never get with Hasenhüttl’s football.
That’s also one of the big differences between the two coaches. Hasenhüttl relies on exceptional fitness. The players had to work hard in the summer. The coach really pushed them. But now you can see that the team is much fitter. They’re able to sustain the intense pressing for 90 minutes. Under Kovač, it often seemed like the tank was nearly empty by the 60th minute. That’s why they lost many leads.
In the summer, Maxence Lacroix was sold to the Premier League, and they snatched Konstantinos Koulierakis from PAOK, ahead of Frankfurt. Kamil Grabara came from Copenhagen as the replacement for long-time goalkeeper Koen Casteels, and Mohammed Amoura was loaned from Union St. Gilloise, already providing two assists. How do you view VfL’s transfer window, and what do you expect from the team this season?
You’re missing Salih Özcan and Dennis Vavro, who were signed on Deadline Day. For a long time, not much happened, but towards the end of the transfer window, a lot of movement happened in both directions. It had long been clear that Lacroix would leave. He moved out of his house in Wolfsburg months ago. Grabara has already proven to be a worthy successor to Casteels. Koulierakis and Vavro are strong center-backs who can replace Lacroix. However, I feel the squad should have been trimmed down. There’s an excess of (good) players, especially in central midfield and attack. I’m curious to see how they’ll manage this and ensure the mood doesn’t turn sour for some players.
As always, there’s a lot of potential in the squad. If they can tap into that, it’s possible to achieve their goals.
Where do the team’s current strengths and weaknesses lie?
Right now, their strengths are mainly in defending without the ball. That might sound odd, considering VfL has conceded nine goals in four games, but many of those goals came from set-pieces. So, that’s one of their weaknesses. They are vulnerable to set-pieces, and this applies to counterattacks as well. Another area that needs improvement is their play with the ball, particularly in the final third, where they haven’t been decisive enough. VfL should have rewarded their efforts with far more goals, but efficiency is their biggest issue at the moment. Another “weakness” is the injury problem. Several potential starters are out. The absence of Lovro Majer, who suffered a ligament tear in the 2–0 win in Kiel, is especially tough. Lovro was in outstanding form — not just because of his two goals against Bayern. Star signing Mohammed Amoura damaged a ligament in his knee during training camp. He’s also not back in top form yet.
The squad includes Tiago Tomás, a former VfB player. How is he doing in Wolfsburg?
He’s currently a starter on the left wing, but that’s also due to a lack of alternatives. That doesn’t mean he’s not doing a good job, though. But he faces the same issue as the rest of the team: effort and reward aren’t in a healthy balance. The high pressing suits him well with his speed. Hasenhüttl likes to use players up front who can put quick, aggressive pressure on the opponent. He also benefits from Jakub Kamiński, who would normally play in Tomás’ position, being used as a temporary full-back.
Finally, your prediction for the lineup and result?
The VfL fan in me hopes for a 3:1 win. The journalist in me is more cautious, though, as Stuttgart is strong. If VfL can be more clinical with their chances, as they were in Leverkusen and against Bayern, then they have a chance.
As for the lineup, there are so many uncertainties that I can only be wrong. But I’m confident they’ll start with a goalkeeper and ten outfield players. 😉
Note: This interview was translated from German to English via ChatGPT
Picture: © Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images