Matchday in focus: VfL Wolfsburg

Tactics

VfL head coach Niko Kovac has abandoned the 3-5-2 formation he used last season, opting instead for a 4-3-3 system. Operating with three attackers instead of two, the Wolves are hoping to pose more of a threat in the final third this term, which in turn should lead to more victories. As well as target man Jonas Wind, Tiago Tomás and Vaclav Cerny are also looking to chip in with goals this season.

Kovac hat sich vom 3-5-2 der vergangenen Saison verabschiedet und baut in der aktuellen Spielzeit auf ein 4-3-3. Drei Spitzen sollen für mehr Durchschlagskraft sorgen und die Erfolge herbeiführen. Neben Zielspieler Jonas Wind gehen Tiago Tomás und Vaclav Cerny auf Torejagd.

Absentees

The Wolves will be without injured trio Kilian Fischer, Lukas Nmecha and Felix Lange, while Moritz Jenz and Rogério are fitness doubts.

Mehdi Loune, Sebastian Rode and Simon Simoni are sidelined for Eintracht.

One to watch: Jonas Wind

Wind has netted five of Wolfsburg’s seven Bundesliga goals so far this season. The Dane’s effort in the first round of the DFB Cup means he is currently averaging a goal per game. With six goals in as many matches, he has already equalled his tally from last term.

One to watch: Jonas Wind

Wind has netted five of Wolfsburg’s seven Bundesliga goals so far this season. The Dane’s effort in the first round of the DFB Cup means he is currently averaging a goal per game. With six goals in as many matches, he has already equalled his tally from last term.

• Goals (and points) guaranteed: the Wolves have yet to lose this term when Wind has scored.
• New record: Wind is the first player in Wolfsburg’s Bundesliga history to start a campaign with five goals in five matches, outdoing the likes of Wout Weghorst, Edin Dzeko and Grafite. With six direct goal involvements, Wind has had a hand in 85.7 per cent of his side’s Bundesliga efforts this term – more than any other player in the top flight.

Key stats and runs

Trigger-happy: Omar Marmoush registered 48 attempts in 33 Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg last term – more than any other Wolves player in 2022/23. Eintracht’s Egyptian also ranks highest in a number of categories this season:

• Attempts: 19
• Expected Goals: 3.2
• Actions inside the penalty area: 42
• Goals: 3
• Wolfsburg have beaten Eintracht more often than they have any other side. They have won 22 of their meetings with the Eagles across all competitions, scoring in each of the last 21 – another club record.