Wolfsburg v Heerenveen match preview

Wolfsburg's UEFA Cup efforts continue today as SC Heerenveen visits Volkswagen Arena. The free-wheeling Eredivisie club lost 3-1 in their opening match against AC Milan and will be anxious for points but they need to address their defensive problems as they have given up eleven goals in the prior five matches. However die Wölfe attack will possibly be hampered with the loss of Zvjezdan Misimović for the match. He is troubled with a calf strain and if out, the attack grinds to a screeching halt. Felix Magath is pushing for him to play in any, noting:

"He can play even if he's not fully fit, strength is not so important for his game."

He added:

"It is crucial to make a good start in the group stage. We want to win and we will field an attacking team because Heerenveen have problems in defense. Because they like us have their strengths up front, I am expecting a very interesting match. I presume that Misimovic will play for us and I am hoping the Grafite will play well up front. He was not so present against Leverkusen but I am sure he will lead our team from the front on Thursday night."

This quite obviously a major problem for Wolfsburg and given the Bosnia and Herzegovina international's injury they should not plan for the future and not play him when injured. Wolfsburg needs to step outside it's normal formation, if they don't want to give another Makoto Hasebe another chance in the playmaking spot and take a more conservative, tighter marking match.

I will report on the match as it concludes.