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04.03.2023
Eintracht

Matchday in focus: VfL Wolfsburg 



Changing formations and threats from midfield and out wide – a look at the key points ahead of Sunday’s battle of the European hopefuls.


    VfL Wolfsburg’s head coach Niko Kovac.

    Tactics

    The Wolves lined up in a 4-4-2 formation in the reverse fixture in Frankfurt, with Bartol Franjic and Maximilian Arnold as the central midfield pairing. Franjic has only made three appearances since then, while head coach Niko Kovac has frequently tweaked his tactics. Wolfsburg have switched their formation between an attacking 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1.

    Absentees

    Franjic has been ruled out after sustaining a muscle strain in training.

    Éric Junior Dina Ebimbe remains sidelined for Eintracht, while Djibril Sow is suspended after collecting his fifth booking of the season.

    One to watch: Maximilian Arnold

    Midfielder Maximilian Arnold.

    Playmaker and captain Arnold is already a Wolfsburg legend despite being just 28. The midfielder has worn the green and white shirt since U17 level.

    • Early breakthrough: Arnold is the youngest Bundesliga player in the club’s history having made his debut aged 17 years, five months and 30 days under Felix Magath in November 2011.
    • He’s also the Wolves’ record appearance maker in the German top flight with 307 games to his name.
    • He’s registered a total of 39 goals and 38 assists in the Bundesliga.
    • The number 27 has run 243 kilometres this season, the third most in the league.

    Head-to-head

    In 41 Bundesliga meetings there have been eight wins for the Eagles and 21 for VfL, with 12 draws.

    Key battle: Ridle Baku vs. Philipp Max

    Philipp Max will have an important job at the Volkswagen Arena. On his left side he’ll be up against Ridle Baku, who’s Wolfsburg’s joint highest scorer this season with five goals, together with Arnold and Yannick Gerhardt. The 24-year-old is also a very willing runner. His 732 sprints are the highest in the Bundesliga, and he’s in the top 15 in the league for distance covered with 225.5 kilometres.

    Ridle Baku in action.

    Baku is a classic wide player, impressing in particular this season with his forward drive. This could present an opportunity for Max. The January signing wins more duels than his counterpart – 46.7 per cent to 44.2 per cent. Both hit a lot of crosses comparatively, but Max is significantly more accurate. Forty per cent of his deliveries find a teammate, compared to just 23 per cent from Baku.