Wolfsburg vs Heindenheim

Volkswagen Arena will host a historic event this weekend as Wolfsburg and Heindenheim go head-to-head in their first-ever Bundesliga showdown.

Despite making their worst start to a Bundesliga season in 21 years. Wolfsburg’s decision to give manager Niko Kovac the benefit of the doubt almost paid off as they entered the season finale with European qualification within their reach. However, though they only needed a point against already relegated Hertha BSC, ‘Die Wolfe’ slumped to a 2-1 loss, relinquishing their chances of returning to European football. A disappointing run of three defeats from their final four league matches (W1) condemned Wolfsburg to a second consecutive season without continental action. Unable to recover from the shock, Kovac’s men experienced an abysmal pre-season, going winless in all four warm-up fixtures (D2, L2). But a 6-0 demolition of fifth-tier side Makkabi Berlin in the DFB-Pokal last weekend could be a sign of better days for Wolfsburg.

Heidenheim’s top-table finish in last season’s 2. Bundesliga was a historic feat for the visitors as they earned top-flight promotion for the first time. They did so in memorable fashion, netting two stoppage-time goals to claim a 3-2 win at Jahn Regensburg. Heideinheim took their opening DFB-Pokal seriously, trouncing fifth-tier opposition Rostocker 8-0 to bolster their spirits ahead of their maiden Bundesliga outing. All three of Heideinheim’s previous meetings with Wolfsburg came in the DFB-Pokal, though each yielded defeat by a combined score of 8-1. Head coach Frank Schmidt, who has been with the team since 2007, is now the longest-serving manager in Germany’s top flight.