Veh targets Champions League boost - 7M sport

Veh targets Champions League boost

Posted Tuesday, September 15, 2009 by PA

Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh has identified his side's Champions League debut against CSKA Moscow as the perfect opportunity to get over their worrying Bundesliga form.

The German champions slipped to a 3-2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday after having goalkeeper Diego Benaglio sent off in the 32nd minute.

Although Veh was pleased with the efforts of his players, he was unable to hide his frustration afterwards, even going so far as to say their third defeat in a row turned a good start to the season into a bad one.

But he added: "Perhaps it is good that we play on Tuesday. Let's forget Bayer now and concentrate only on Moscow."

Veh will hope his side can rise to the occasion and overcome their poor form.

Their maiden Champions League campaign comes as a result of their first German title last season, but with the architect of that success, Felix Magath, now in charge at Schalke, Veh has not been able to continue where he left off.

Wins in their opening two matches promised much, but their form has fallen away sharply, something Veh expects to be rectified.

"The team will be in top shape and play a great game, I'm sure," he said.

Unfortunately for Wolfsburg, as befits a side appearing in the competition for the first time, they lack experience with only Obafemi Martins, who played more than 20 games for Inter Milan in the tournament, the notable exception.

They will face a CSKA side showing signs of rejuvenation under new coach Juande Ramos.

The former Tottenham and Real Madrid boss took over from Brazilian legend Zico last week and immediately led his new charges to a 3-0 win over Samara which took them third in the Premier Liga table.

Ramos said: "I'm satisfied because it's very important, since in only three days we have a hard meeting against the German champions in the Champions League."

CSKA are likely to be unchanged, with Chilean midfielder Mark Gonzalez the only absentee, while Wolfsburg will be without Thomas Kahlenberg (hip).

Skipper Josue (knee) returned to the side on Saturday and should continue in the Wolfsburg midfield.

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