Wolfsburg, CSKA Moscow make one change apiece — Team News

I did not expect that as this was our first Champions League match for six years.

CSKA still ended up second in the group with Wolfsburg third, having turned the tables with a 2-1 victory in Moscow two months later.

Wolfsburg’s second UEFA Champions League campaign got off to a winning start as Julian Draxler opened his account for the club with the only goal against CSKA Moskva.

CSKA Moscow have gone 20 Champions League matches (including qualifiers) without a clean sheet.

Germany global Draxler completed a move from Bundesliga rivals Schalke on transfer deadline day, as Wolfsburg sought to fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne’s departure to Manchester City.

After his pass found Max Kruse in space on the right wing, Draxler powered his header at Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, but was first to react and stabbed home the rebound. His last clean sheet in the competition came when CSKA drew 0-0 at Arsenal FC on 1 November 2006.

Wolfsburg had a number of chances to double their lead, and Schurrle probably should have done so in the 75th minute when he picked up possession on the left side of the box and jinxed his way between two defenders before dragging his shot wide into the side netting, and was substituted off for Maximilian Arnold soon afterwards.

With so much emphasis on doing well domestically it would be easy for the less-fancied teams such as Wolfsburg to ease off in Europe, but Hecking made it clear that his men all know their responsibilities and will not require any special words from him in the build-up to the contest.

Daniel Caligiuri should have put Wolfsburg in front shortly afterwards, but he delayed his shot with just Akinfeev to beat, which allowed Georgi Schennikov to recover and make a tackle.

Wolfsburg dominated throughout with the Russians defending deep and the hosts could have scored more goals were it not for some sloppy finish.

Draxler’s goal was fully deserved and capped an impressive performance over all from the 21-year-old.