VfL coach Stroot: AS Roma will be the key to qualifying for the quarter-finals!

VfL coach Stroot: AS Roma will be the key to qualifying for the quarter-finals!

Before the eagerly awaited game against AS Roma, VfL Wolfsburg head coach Tommy Stroot spoke about the current personnel situation and the challenges that await his team. The team continued to experience some absences due to injuries, which were already noticeable last week. According to Stroot, there is progress with players like Ariana Arias, who may be able to return to team training towards the end of the week. Luca Papp has also already trained with the team, but is currently not able to fully participate in training.

The focus now turns to the next opponent, AS Roma. Stroot emphasized the great respect that he and his team have for the Italian team. Many in the VfL team already know the Roma players from a previous meeting two years ago. Stroot emphasized that the team was very mature and more experienced in terms of football two years ago. “Of course they play somewhere Italian and are ripped off at certain moments,” he explained. He also expects that the hosts will try to exploit their home advantage, which makes the game a big challenge.

Meaning of the game

The upcoming duel is seen by many as crucial to qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League. “We know that in the eyes of many outsiders this game could be what will determine quarter-final qualification,” said Stroot. However, he warns against underestimating the group stage games. “Anyone who has followed the Champions League in recent years knows that not everything always goes as it says on paper,” he added. The team has to deliver the highest quality in every game in order to be able to survive against supposedly stronger teams.

When asked whether the experiences from the encounters against Florence allow any conclusions to be drawn about the upcoming game against Rome, Stroot responded rather skeptically. “In terms of sport, we can draw relatively little from the Florence game for the match against Rome,” he made clear. He explained that the season in Italy is still at an early stage and the teams have to find each other. “We analyze Rome completely in isolation and see that they have a more mature team than Florence,” he warns against hasty comparisons.

Overall, there is great anticipation for the match, but VfL Wolfsburg is aware of the challenges that could lie ahead for its players. “That's why it's about asserting yourself in every single round and occasionally causing surprises against teams where you might be the underdog on paper,” said the coach. The pressure to perform at their best in such an important game is enormous, but Stroot is optimistic and motivates the team to reach their full potential.

Developments surrounding the game and preparations will continue to be closely monitored, particularly with regard to personnel changes and the team's tactical orientation. VfL Wolfsburg will do everything in its power to successfully overcome the challenges and prepare for further games in the Champions League. For further information about VfL's formation and strategy, see the current reporting on www.vfl-wolfsburg.de.