Europa League Preview: Wolfsburg v Fulham
What a remarkable campaign it’s been for Roy Hodgson and Fulham. Supporters at Craven Cottage have been treated to some memorable moments over the past eight months, not least because of their team’s performances in the Europa League.
This evening, Fulham travel to north-west Germany to take on Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, with a one-goal advantage following their narrow victory at Craven Cottage last week.
The German champions did manage to score a late away goal in west London, though, and that could prove the key moment over the course of the two legs.
With the likes of Edin Džeko, Grafite, Zvjezdan Misimović and a name you will be more familiar with, Obafemi Martins, all in the squad and poised to play tonight, Wolfsburg pose a huge threat in the final third. Despite currently lying in a disappointing ninth in the Bundesliga, they are still among the top scorers in their domestic league with 56 goals from 29 matches.
Džeko is the man Hodgson will be keen to keep tabs on most. Currently the leading scorer in Germany with 19 goals, following on from his superb last season where he racked up 26 goals, the Bosnia & Herzegovina international is a 6ft 4in powerhouse of a striker, complete with a natural assurance on the ball and a deadly eye for goal. Linked with a summer move to Chelsea, AC Milan and Manchester United, among others, the 24-year-old has the ability to put his opponents to the sword this evening.
In order to progress to their first major European semi-final, Fulham will need Brede Hangeland, Mark Schwarzer and co to be sturdier than they’ve ever been before. That’s because more often than not, the Bundesliga outfit will get themselves on the scoresheet. Just once since the turn of the year have Wolfsburg failed to hit the back of the net.
Fulham, though, have showcased their never-say-die attitude on numerous occasions this season; and under the leadership of Hodgson and assistant Ray Lewington, have been transformed from relegation candidates to genuine Europa League contenders.
Bobby Zamora - who was regarded as a no-hoper before Hodgson came in and put an arm round him - has gone from Premier League flop to a man on the verge of a call up to England’s World Cup squad, Damien Duff has been rejuvenated since his move from Newcastle United, where he had looked a shadow of his former self, and Clint Dempsey is fast establishing himself as one of the trickiest midfielders in the top-flight.
In contention for Manager of the Year for a third consecutive season, Hodgson will be linked to some of the most glamorous jobs in European football if he can travel to Wolfsburg tonight and conquer the Germans in their own backyard.
One cause for concern for the Cottagers’ manager will be the fact that his side have only won one solitary away tie in this season’s European campaign. That came against Swiss side Basel. But against Roma, CSKA Sofia, Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus, Hodgson’s men have looked far less of a threat compared to when they’re playing at the Cottage.
Fulham will need to put that bout of homesickness to one side this evening to ensure they seal their passage into the last four, where they would then meet either Hamburg or Standard Liege.
It is an uphill struggle for the Cottagers despite their narrow advantage. Wolfsburg will enter this tie as favourites for the win tonight because of the players at their disposal. But if there’s one side that shouldn’t be discounted from producing a shock result with the aid of grit, determination and passion - it’s Fulham.
Just ask Juventus.
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