Key Takeaways
- Dieter Hecking becomes only the tenth manager in Bundesliga history to reach 450 matches.
- VfL Wolfsburg sit just one point above the automatic relegation zone with three games remaining.
- The Wolves face Europa League semi-finalists Freiburg before season-ending clashes with Bayern Munich and St. Pauli.
VfL Wolfsburg travel to SC Freiburg on Sunday for a crucial Bundesliga fixture. The visitors desperately need points to climb away from the automatic drop zone. Meanwhile, the hosts continue their push for European qualification.
The match carries special significance for Dieter Hecking. The 61-year-old will become only the tenth manager in league history to reach 450 games. This milestone arrives following his first-ever relegation campaign with VfL Bochum last season.
Hecking now aims to prevent another drop with Wolfsburg. He previously lifted the DFB-Pokal with the club during his earlier spell.
“That is a nice figure,” Hecking remarked regarding his landmark. He then offered a frank assessment of modern coaching. “I am unsure if we will witness this record broken frequently in future years. The profession has grown far more rapid.”
He added: “Every single Bundesliga fixture remains a celebration for me. I am excited for my 450th outing. Whether it is match number 451 or merely number 13, the Bundesliga always represents a special event.”
Wolfsburg must first overcome Freiburg. They then face champions Bayern Munich at home before a decisive final day trip to relegation rivals St. Pauli. Three points against the Europa League semi-finalists appear essential.
“I anticipate a highly intense encounter,” Hecking stated. He analysed Freiburg’s recent defeat in Braga. “It was an evenly matched contest. They retain every chance of reaching the final. I constantly commend Freiburg. Their squad possesses sufficient depth to field two strong sides without losing quality.”
The experienced coach recalled a previous experience against tired European opponents. During the 2009/10 campaign, his 1. FC Nürnberg side lost 4-0 to Hamburger SV. The Hamburg club had suffered Europa League semi-final elimination against Fulham merely 48 hours earlier.
“I do not believe they will approach this match differently due to their European commitments,” Hecking warned. “I have already experienced this pain. We all assumed HSV would be mentally and physically drained. Yet they led 3-0 after thirty minutes.”
Nürnberg survived relegation that year via play-off victory against FC Augsburg. Wolfsburg currently trail the play-off position by just one point. Their meeting with St. Pauli effectively serves as another survival play-off.
Recent weeks have brought improved displays and results. The Wolves gathered four points from fixtures against 1. FC Union Berlin and Hecking’s former club Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Vinicius Souza and Kevin Paredes should boost the squad. Both players are likely to return to the matchday squad.
Like many managers across Europe, Hecking also addressed the Champions League clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
“It was a magnificent spectacle,” he commented. “It demonstrated the excellence of both teams.”
He then joked about implementing such tactics at Wolfsburg.
“If we attempted to play in that manner, everyone would question my sanity.”