Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich - Dieter Hecking hoping to avoid a repeat showing against Bayern Munich

Posted Friday, February 26, 2016 by PA

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking says he has not forgotten what happened the last time his side faced Bayern Munich, although he hopes there will not be a repeat when the sides meet again this Saturday.

After leading 1-0 at the Allianz Arena, Robert Lewandowski sprang from the bench to score five goals quicker than anybody before him in the Bundesliga to help Bayern to a 6-1 win.

What looked like it could be Bayern's first defeat of the season became their biggest victory, and Hecking knows his side will be up against it once again this weekend.

"That was unique, I think," he said at a press conference. "It was Robert Lewandowski's finest hour, and I have not forgotten it.

"Together with Barcelona and Real Madrid, this is probably the best team Bayern have ever had and we always seem to motivate them to perform their very best against us.

"We'll do all we can to ensure our recent run of defeats against them end."

Hecking was not necessarily encouraged after witnessing Bayern's 2-2 draw with Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"I think the first hour in Turin was some of the best Bayern have played," he said. "Only their first half in the cup tie against us was better."

While much has been made of Bayern's injury problems of late, especially in their defence, Wolfsburg are in no better shape with no fewer than 12 players set to miss out this weekend.

A flu virus is making the involvement of Bruno Henrique, Nicklas Bendtner and Koen Casteels unlikely, and with Diego Benaglio out with a rib problem, that could lead to third-choice goalkeeper Max Grun standing in for the first time this season.

"It's a bad situation in terms of personnel," Hecking admitted after spending Wednesday out of action himself with the flu.

Bayern came through their Champions League clash with Juventus unscathed with coach Pep Guardiola even able to welcome Medhi Benatia back into his side.

The Moroccan is a candidate to start at the centre of the defence on Saturday with Joshua Kimmich struggling in his latest game as an emergency central defender against Juve, while Franck Ribery is also in line for a return after coming on as a substitute in Turin.

Mario Gotze also returned to the squad in midweek with Bayern's injury worries reducing as they head into the crucial final months of the season.