Matchday in focus: VfL Wolfsburg

Tactics

Having collectively covered 2,644 kilometres so far, Niko Kovac’s charges – who usually line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation - are the fourth most hard-running team in the Bundesliga. Furthermore, their 5,481 sprints puts them second overall in the division, while they are top of the pile for intensive runs (17,889). “I’m expecting a tough game in Frankfurt,” said the former Eagles coach at his media briefing ahead of the encounter at Deutsche Bank Park.

Absentees

Eintracht will be without Hugo Larsson, Sebastian Rode and Sasa Kalajdzic (all injured).

For Wolfsburg, Rogerio (thigh) is definitely absent, while Mattias Svanberg (shoulder) is rated doubtful. Tiago Tomás has returned to full training.  

One to watch: Lovro Majer

The 26-year-old operates in the space behind main striker and top scorer Jonas Wind. He has hit the ground running in Wolfsburg following his summer transfer from Rennes, registering four goals and three assists to date. The Croatian has been in the starting line-up for 19 of the Wolves’ 22 league matches so far.
 

Reunion

Omar Marmoush moved from Egypt to the Wolfsburg youth academy at the age of 18 and made 48 senior competitive appearances for the club prior to joining Eintracht last summer. Makoto Hasebe also used to lace his boots for the Wolves, making 159 appearances between 2008 and 2013 and helping them win the Bundesliga title. 

Head coach Kovac and his assistant and brother Robert led Eintracht to DFB Cup glory in 2018.