New Delhi: VFL Wolfsburg narrowly escaped relegation when Ralph Hasenhuttl took charge of the side last season. However, a 12th finish in the Bundesliga isn’t how the team will look to end this season. This is why the club has tried to bring in quality players into the squad who can make a difference in the areas they have been lacking.
They had a forgettable last season, and their manager, Niko Kovac, left the side after leading them for a year and a half. Their performance in the friendlies hasn’t been a morale boost for them, winning only one game in the entire time frame. Even their DFB Pokal win against Tus Koblenz wasn’t entirely convincing. If they want to end their season better than the last few seasons, they have to play much better than defending their early leads.
They had started their last season great, winning two back-to-back games in the opening rounds. However, their mediocre performance in the middle of the season cost them a top-ten finish. Their ending was quite strong after there were changes in the management. It is one of the reasons Hasenhuttl has brought a lot of hope for a better finish.
Tactical prospects for the 2024/25 season
RHEDA-WIEDENBRUCK, GERMANY – JULY 24: Head coach Ralph Hasenhüttl of VfL Wolfsburg looks on ahead of the pre-season friendly match between VfL Wolfsburg and Lille OSC on July 24, 2024 in Rheda-Wiedenbruck, Germany. (Photo by Max Ellerbrake – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
When they start the season, Hasenhuttl will have a squad similar to last season’s. However, they will take the pitch without Koen Casteel, who is playing in the Saudi Pro League this season after eight seasons with the German side. Kamil Grabara is expected to be the first-choice goalkeeper and will have to be at his best level to fill in the big pair of gloves.
Hasenhuttl was known to prefer a 4-2-3-1 lineup and a 4-3-3 lineup that would often transform into a 4-3-2-1 lineup at halftime. Though it had initially taken the squad from 12 to eight in the Bundesliga points table in 202-23, last season it pushed the team back to 12th again. Their performance for most of the season was poor, particularly when their formation transformed into a 4-1-3-2 lineup the previous season.
Despite their pre-season performance, Hasenhuttl has maintained that the team was “mature” and had made progress in the friendlies. He further noted that building confidence in the team was necessary, which the team lacked at the time. Wolfsburg indeed need to stick to their strength rather than fixating on the opposition and their strengths.
They have found some success with the 3-1-4-2 and 3-4-2-1 formations. However, Wolfsburg’s success largely depends on how Jonas Wind performs in the season and will be the centre of the club’s attack. The Danish had started his last season with eight goals in his ten matches for the 2023-24 season. Towards the end, he scored two more points and was the standout player on the team. If Wolfsburg wants to end the season stronger, Wind has to retain his dominating form for a longer time frame.
Lovro Majer, too, is a crucial player in this set-up alongside Wind. Last season, Majer scored five goals and made five assists. He can be a perfect playmaker while being positioned alongside Mohamed Amoura, who will join the side after Valclav Cerny’s departure from the club.
Transfers analysis
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Kamil Grabara of VFL Wolfsburg in action during the pre-season friendly between Brentford and VFL Wolfsburg at Gtech Community Stadium on August 09, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
There have been several additions to the club, with Marius Muller being the second goalkeeper transferred alongside Grabara. Konstatinos Koulierakis and Mathys Angely will be the two players who will be contenders for the centre-back position with Amoura being pitted for the centre-forward position. Angley will come to the side on a free transfer like Bence Dardai. Kofi Amoaka and Manuel Braun are both academy graduates coming in this side and have been impressive in their youth careers.
Along with right winger Cerny and goalkeeper Casteels who has joined Al-Qadsiah on a free transfer, Maximilian Phillip too has joined Bundesliga side Freiburg SC. Luca Waldschmidt has joined Bundesliga 2 side FC Koln on a free transfer, while Lukas Ambros will be featuring in the Polish football league. Felix Lange has gone a free transfer to SV Meppen.
Early prediction: European football on the horizon?
Having managed to avoid relegation last season, Wolves have set their eyes on an ambitious challenge of an European qualification spot. They will of course need to play a much more attacking football in order to improve their previous season’s standings.
After narrowly escaping relegation last season, can the Wolves make a complete turn around and qualify for the European Championship? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
