Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich preview - Bayern target vital win
Posted Friday, January 30, 2015 by PA
Bayern Munich could take a big leap towards a third straight Bundesliga title when they travel to Wolfsburg on Friday night.
Bayern are yet to be beaten this season and Pep Guardiola's men have an 11-point advantage over Wolfsburg at the top of the table going into the clash.
If that unbeaten record is extended at the VW Arena, they will practically have one hand on the trophy already, and they are desperate to do just that.
"We want to become champions of Germany as quickly as we can," said Bayern's director of sport Matthias Sammer at a press conference on Thursday, warning at the same time that his side must not take anything for granted against the Wolves.
"We're going to need a top performance to be able to win there. Wolfsburg have developed really well and they are on a high level."
Bayern make the trip north without Franck Ribery and Rafinha, who have both been ruled out for a fortnight after picking up injuries in training on Wednesday.
That does not necessarily make things any easier for Wolfsburg, however, according to their coach Dieter Hecking.
"They will probably just put another world champion into the team," he said. "They've still got quality."
At the same time, Hecking knows that his side can count on support from up and down Germany on Friday night.
"Many people are going to have their fingers crossed for us, that maybe we are the team who can beat Bayern for once," he said.
"At the moment, they are the team to beat in Europe, together with Real Madrid. To be able to measure up to these clubs is our aim in the mid-term.
"If we can fight and give it all we've got, then we are a side who can not only frustrate Bayern, but really challenge them."
Wolfsburg's preparations this winter were overshadowed by the tragic death in a road accident of Junior Malanda.
He will be remembered by a minute's applause prior to kick-off on Friday night, and a minute's silence at all other grounds in Germany this weekend.
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