German Bundesliga high-flyers Wolfsburg made a real statement of intent on Thursday night, with the in-form outfit seeing past Inter Milan in the last-16 first leg of the Europa League. The Wolves won 3-1, and were the dominant and deserving winners at the Volkswagen Arena. They find themselves now as the bookies’ favourite to win the competition, with Italian Serie A side Napoli close behind, but is the Europa League now the Germans’ to lose.
Second in the league table, where they are also unbeaten at home, Dieter Hecking’s side have been flying this season. Their form has been replicated in Europe too, with only two defeats suffered in their eight games in the competition – home and away to Everton. They have seen past the likes of Lille and Sporting Lisbon to make it this far, and made light work of Inter Milan, who many thought were outsiders to go all the way. They have a tricky second leg tie to come at the San Siro, but the Wolves have one foot into the quarter-finals.
Wolfsburg, Napoli, Sevilla and Roma are deemed as the strongest sides left in the competition, and all four will fancy their chances again each other too. It’s all to play for, but the Germans boast some incredible talent that could prove to be the difference. Having the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Andre Schurrle, Bas Dost and Ricardo Rodriguez in the side means they have such an attacking threat that always guarantee goals.
Their form has been solid in all competitions too, so they have momentum at the perfect time in the season. A lot of teams can be affected with European commitments hampering their league form. It’s certainly playing it’s part in Everton’s struggles, but Wolfsburg have gone from strength to strength. Their impressive season has perhaps come one campaign earlier than expected, with the club now enjoying lucrative financial backing to sign a high class of player, but a Europa League win would propel the club to new heights.
Their current position in the Bundesliga will guarantee them Champions League football regardless, but winning a European trophy certainly makes them a more attractive proposition for potential targets in the summer. But can they win the Europa League this season? Somebody has to, and their form would suggest they are more than in the running to go all the way. Only one team has managed to beat them in the competition so far, and results have continued to improve since.
